SABBATH SCHOOL LESSON
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-THE GOSPEL PROPHET
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o. 244, SECOND QUARTER, 1956
THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY
"With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." Isa. 12:3.
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me
the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, 0 Lord
God of hosts." Jer. 15:16.
"As a means of intellectual training, the opportunities of the Sabbath are
invaluable. Let the Sabbath-school lesson be learned, not by a hasty glance at
the lesson scripture on Sabbath morning, but by careful study for the next
week on Sabbath afternoon, with daily review or illustration during the week.
Thus the lesson will become fixed in the memory, a treasure never to be
wholly
lost."—Education,
pages 251, 252.
"Every day some portion of time should be appropriated to the study of
the lessons, not merely in learning to mechanically repeat the words, while
the mind does not comprehend the meaning; but to go to the very founda-
tion, and become familiar with what is brought out in the
lesson."—Counsels
on Sabbath School Work,
page 53.
My Daily Lesson Study Pledge
As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I
pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sab-
bath-school lesson each day of the week.
Name
LESSON TITLES
1.
Thy Saviour and Thy Redeemer.
2.
The Righteousness and Power
of God.
3.
From Defeat to Victory.
4.
The Man of Sorrows.
5.
The God of Comfort.
6.
Sabbathkeeping a Blessing to All.
7.
The Righteous and the Wicked
in the Day of Trouble.
FOR THE QUARTER
8.
A Call for Reformation.
9.
A Redeemer Promised; Final
Triumph of the Righteous.
1o. The Mission of Christ.
1. A Saviour Revealed.
12.
Preparing a People for the New
Earth.
13.
The Church Triumphant.
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No. 244, April-June, 1956. 15 cents a single copy, 50 cents
a year, in U.S.A. and Canada; 15 cents a single copy, 60 cents a year to all other countries. Published
in the U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), Mountain View,
California. Entered as second-class matter Oct. 13, 1904, at the post office in Mountain View, Califor-
nia, under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1879. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage
provided for in Section 1103, Act of Oct. 3, 1917, and authorized Sept. 18, 1918. When a change of
address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses.
Copyright, 1955, by Pacific Press Publishing Association
Printed in U.S.A.
Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly
LESSONS FROM THE GOSPEL PROPHET-II
Lesson 1, for April 7, 1956
Thy Saviour and Thy Redeemer
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 49:24-26; 50.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice
of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in
the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." Isaiah 50:10.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapter 50.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
of the lesson.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Ques. 1-3.
❑
Monday: Ques. 4-6.
❑
Check
Study
Tuesday: Ques. 7-10.
Wednesday: Ques. 11-13.
0
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Promised Deliverance; Fate of
Oppressors
1.
Captives delivered. Isa. 49:24.
2.
A strong contender. Isa. 49:25.
3.
Punishment of oppressors. Isa.
49:26.
II. God Exonerated
4.
Israel's servitude. Isa. 50:1.
5.
None to answer. Isa. 50:2,3.
III. Messianic Prophecies
6.
Tongue of the learned. Isa. 50:4.
7.
Submission to God. Isa. 50:5.
8.
Endurance under trial. Isa. 50:6.
Compare Matt. 27:26-31; Mark
15:19.
IV. Source of Strength
9.
God will help me. Isa. 50:7.
10.
His nearness. Isa. 50:8.
11.
Who shall condemn? Isa. 50:9.
12.
Sparks of man's kindling. Isa.
50:11.
13.
Darkness turned to light. Isa.
50:10.
[3
]
THE LESSON
Introduction
To Isaiah had been revealed a compre-
hensive view of the plan of salvation. He
understood that man was Satan's captive,
and also that there is One mightier than
the mighty who could take away the prey,
and that this One was the Lord, "thy Sav-
iour and thy Redeemer."
To the Jew, the word Redeemer was
most expressive and meaningful. Some-
times a poor man might sell himself. If so,
he could be redeemed, but only by one
near of kin. Lev. 25:47-49. The redemp-
tion was effected by the kinsman's paying
the just demand in full. Lev. 25:27; 1 Pe-
ter 1:18, 19. The story of Ruth is a beau-
tiful illustration of redemption.
This lesson also brings to view the suf-
fering Saviour. What a wonderful picture
is given of His passion! He feels the in-
sults to the quick, but He does not draw
back. His face is set like a flint; that is, He
is determined to go through to the end.
God will help Him. They will "stand to-
gether." Christ passed through darkness.
Let others who may be doing God's will,
yet are confronted with difficulties and per-
plexities, take courage. God is still living.
Promised Deliverance; Fate
of Oppressors
1.
What question is asked concern-
ing the prey of the mighty and the
lawful captive? Isa. 49:24.
2.
In His answer to the foregoing
question, what precious promise does
the Lord give? Isa. 49:25.
NoTE.—The mighty here spoken of is
Satan. He has many captives who have
given themselves over to evil and are justly
his captives.
"All who willfully depart from God's
commandments are placing themselves un-
der the control of Satan. Many a man
tampers with evil, thinking that he can
break away at pleasure; but he is lured on
and on, until he finds himself controlled
by a will stronger than his own. .
"Yet his condition is not hopeless, God
does not control our minds without our
consent; but every man is free to choose
what power he will have to rule over him."
—The Ministry of Healing,
pages 92, 93.
3.
From the terrible punishment
that will be meted out to the oppres-
sors of God's people, what will all
men know? Isa. 49:26.
God Exonerated
4.
Who only was responsible for
Israel's rejection by the Lord? Why?
Isa. 50:1.
NoTE.—When Isaiah wrote this, God
had not as yet put away His people, Israel.
They deserved to be forsaken, but God was
still merciful. Later on He did divorce
Israel. Jer. 3:8.
In Isa. 50:1 God asks for proof that He
has put Israel away. The answer, of course,
is that He has not put them away, nor
sold them to the creditors, as was some-
times the custom. Neh. 5:5; 2 Kings 4:1.
They had, however, sold themselves. Isa.
52:3.
5.
What questions does God now
ask? What illustrations of His power
does He set forth? Isa. 50:2, 3.
NoTE.—In effect, God says, If I have
called you, how is it that no one responds?
Is it because you think My hand is short-
ened so I cannot redeem, or that I have
no power? In other words, God is aston-
ished and perplexed that no one answers
His call. He offers the riches of heaven,
and men are not interested.
[ 4 ]
IT IS NOT BRAVERY TO LEAVE
GOD'S
CITADEL OF LAW TO VENTURE INTO
mg
sAvAGE
JUNGLE OF SIN.
Messianic Prophecies
6.
In what beautiful language is
the ministry of Jesus portrayed? Isa.
50:4.
NOTE.—"
The Son of man came not to
be ministered unto, but to minister.' Matt.
20:28. Not for Himself, but for others, He
lived and thought and prayed. From hours
spent with God He came forth morning by
morning, to bring the light of heaven to
men. Daily He received a fresh baptism of
the Holy Spirit. In the early hours of the
new day the Lord awakened Him from
His slumbers, and His soul and His lips
were anointed with grace, that He might
impart to others. His words were given
Him fresh from the heavenly courts, words
that He might speak in season to the
weary and oppressed."—Christ's
Object
Lessons,
page 139.
"Words of kindness are as welcome as
the smile of angels."—The
Ministry of
Healing,
page 158.
7.
How did Christ show His will-
ing submission to God? Isa. 50:5.
8.
What Messianic prophecy was
literally fulfilled at the trial of Jesus?
Isa. 50:6. Compare Matt. 27:26-31;
Mark 15:19.
Source of Strength
9.
How is Christ's confidence and
courage expressed by the prophet?
Isa. 50:7.
NOTE.—"Difficulties
will arise that will
try your faith and patience. Face them
bravely. Look on the bright side. . . .
Never let your courage fail. Never talk
unbelief because appearances are against
you. As you work for the Master you will
feel pressure for want of means, but the
Lord will hear and answer your petitions
for help. Let your language be: 'The Lord
God will help me; therefore shall I not be
confounded: therefore have I set my face
like a flint, and I
know
that I shall not be
ashamed.' Isa. 50:7.
"If you make a mistake, turn your de-
feat into victory. The lessons that God
sends will always, if well learned, bring
help in due time. Put your trust in God.
Pray much, and believe. Trusting, hoping,
believing, holding fast the hand of Infinite
Power, you will be more than conquerors.”
—Testimonies, vol.
7, p. 244.
10.
In His confidence in God's
presence and power, what challenge
could Christ offer His adversaries?
Isa. 50:8.
NoTE.—Christ was mocked and con-
demned by the Jewish Sanhedrin and by
the Roman officials. But He knew that
though He was condemned by man, God
would justify Him.
"Let us stand together." With God on
his side, who need be afraid? The chal-
lenge is issued: "Who is mine adversary?
let him come near to me." God is on our
side, and victory is sure.
11.
Who will ever be our Helper?
What will be the fate of the opposers?
Isa. 50:9. Compare Rom. 8:33, 34.
[5]
12. What is said to those that com-
pass themselves about with sparks of
their own kindling? What shall be
their end? Isa. 50:11.
NoTE.—The picture is that of a man in
darkness, trying to obtain light by kindling
a fire. All that results, however, is a few
sparks. Refusing God's light, he tries to
make one of his own. But he shall not
succeed.
"Many look to their ministers to bring
the light from God to them, seeming to
think this a cheaper way than to be to
the trouble of going to God for it them-
selves. Such lose much. If they would
daily follow Christ and make Him their
guide and counselor, they might obtain
a clear knowledge of His will, and thus be
gaining a valuable experience. For want of
this very experience, brethren professing
the truth walk in the sparks of others'
kindling; they are unacquainted with the
Spirit of God and have not a knowledge of
His will, and are therefore easily moved
from their faith. They are unstable, be-
cause they trusted in others to obtain an
experience for them. Ample provisions
have been made for every son and daughter
of Adam to obtain individually a knowl-
edge of the divine will, to perfect Chris-
tian character, and to be purified through
the truth. God is dishonored by that
class who profess to be followers of Christ
and yet have no experimental knowledge
of the divine will or of the mystery of god-
liness."—Testimonies, vol.
2, p. 644.
13. How may a child of God have
his darkness turned into light? Isa.
50:10.
NOTE.—There are those that fear the
Lord and obey the voice of His servant,
yet walk in darkness, literally in dark
places, that is, in trouble. Many are doing
the best they know, and live up to all the
light they have, and still are not free from
trouble. What shall they do? "Let him
trust in the name of the Lord, and stay
upon his God."
Lesson 2, for April 14, 1956
The Righteousness and Power of God
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 51.
MEMORY VERSE:
"For the Lord shall comfort
Zion: He will comfort all her waste
places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the
garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and
the voice of melody." Isa. 51:3.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapter 51.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
Tuesday: Ques. 7-10.
0
of the lesson.
❑
Wednesday: Ques. 11-13.
Sunday: Introduction; Ques. 1-3.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
Monday: Ques. 4-6.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
El
[ 6 ]
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. God's Call and Promise to His People
1.
Exhortation to trust in Christ.
Isa. 51:1, 2.
2.
Promised comfort. Isa. 51:3.
3.
Judgment and righteousness.
Isa. 51:4, 5.
II. Admonition Continued
4.
The temporary compared with the
eternal. Isa. 51:6.
5.
Assurance to God's people. Isa.
51:7, 8.
6.
Trust in the arm of the Lord.
Isa. 51:9, 10.
Ill. Zion's Promised Release
7.
Sorrow turned to joy. Isa. 51:11.
8.
No cause for fear. Isa. 51:12, 13.
9.
The captives' hope. Isa. 51:14, 15.
10.
Zion-"My people." Isa. 51:16.
IV. Message to Jerusalem
11.
The call to awake. Isa. 51:17.
12.
The plight of Jerusalem. Isa.
51:18-20.
13.
God pleads the cause of His
people. Isa. 51:21-23.
THE LESSON
Introduction
It is sometimes well to look backward.
It helps us not to despise the day of small
things. We need to look back to the days
of the beginnings of the Advent message,
when hardship, toil, and privation were
the portion of minister and of people. We
are living in an age of extravagance and
luxury, and there is danger that we may
partake of the spirit of the times. What
we are, we are by the grace of God. Let us
keep to the simplicity of the gospel.
The contrast between mortal man and
his Maker is clearly revealed in this les-
son. Man is like a garment which the
moths eat, like a gnat that dies, like wool
which the worms eat, like grass which is
burned. There is no place in those terms
for the doctrine of natural immortality.
On the other hand, God's salvation is ever-
lasting; and His righteousness, that is, His
character, His law, shall not be abolished.
God's Call and Promise to
His People
1. What exhortation is given to
those who seek the Lord? Isa. 51:1, 2.
NoTE.-"Righteousness here means, not
salvation, but righteousness in conduct, a
way of life in accordance with the will of
God."-Cambridge Bible.
It is well, sometimes, to recall the ex-
periences in our own perSonal history and
consider where we would be and what we
would be, had not God found us. Looking
back on these things should make us, more
humble and more thankful.
"Called him alone," literally "as one,"
before he had children.
"Blessed him." Compare Gen. 24:1.
"Increased him," made him father of
many nations. Compare Gen. 17:5.
2. What beautiful promises does
the Lord make to His people? Isa.
51:3.
NoTE.-"There we shall know even as
also we are known. There the loves and
sympathies that God has planted in the
soul will find truest and sweetest exercise.
The pure communion with holy beings, the
harmonious social life with the blessed
angels and with the faithful ones of all
ages, the sacred fellowship that binds to-
gether 'the whole family in heaven and
earth,'-all are among the experiences of
the hereafter.
"There will be music there, and song,
such music and song as, save in the visions
of God, no mortal ear has heard or mind
conceived. . . . Isa. 24:14; 51:3.
"There every power will be developed,
every capability increased. The grandest
enterprises will be carried forward, the
[
77
loftiest aspirations will be reached, the
highest ambitions realized. And still there
will arise new heights to surmount, new
wonders to admire, new truths to com-
prehend, fresh objects to call forth the
powers of body and mind and soul."—Edu-
cation,
pages 306, 307.
3.
To what does God especially
call upon His people to hearken? In
what spirit will He judge the people?
Isa. 51:4, 5.
NoTE.—"I will make My judgment to
rest." Judgment is the same word as in
Isa. 42:1, and might be rendered "justice,"
as the Revised Standard Version has it.
God, then, will send true justice to all peo-
ples, and it will be to them for a light.
This verse, with the preceding one, may
have special significance in the last days.
God's righteousness and salvation are near.
He is about to judge the people. The same
arm that brings destruction to sinners will
bring salvation to the saints.
Admonition Continued
4.
How does God contrast the
transitory condition of all earthly
things with His salvation and right-
eousness? Isa. 51:6.
NoTE.—This verse brings to view the
contrast between the things that shall per-
ish and the things that shall remain. The
world has this reversed. That which God
says shall vanish, men say will stand for-
ever. That which God says shall not be
abolished, men professedly believe to be
abolished.
5.
What assurance is given to the
commandment-keeping people of
God? What figurative language is
used to further describe the contrast
between men and the righteousness
and salvation of God? Isa. 51:7, 8.
NorE.—Apparently those who have God's
law in their heart will be reviled and re-
proached.
"Through Satan's temptations the whole
human race have become transgressors of
God's law; but by the sacrifice of His Son
a way is opened whereby they may re-
turn to God. Through the grace of Christ
they may be enabled to render obedience
to the Father's law. Thus in every age,
from the midst of apostasy and rebellion,
God gathers out a people that are true to
Him,—a people 'in whose heart is His
law.'
"—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 338.
6.
To what ancient experiences of
Israel is reference made to illustrate
the strength of the arm of the Lord?
Isa. 51:9, 10.
NoTE.—Rahab, literally, the proud one,
is symbolically an expression for Egypt.
Ps. 89:10, margin. The dragon is another
symbol for Egypt. Ezek. 29:3. The refer-
ence here is to the destruction of Pharaoh's
army at the Red Sea. The dragon originally
is Satan. Rev. 12:7-9. This term is there-
fore applied also to the adversaries of God
generally.
The reference here to the drying up of
the Red Sea, that the Israelites, might pass
over, is clear. Ex. 14:21, 22.
Zion's Promised Release
7.
Because of the strength of the
arm of the Lord, what experience will
come to the redeemed? Isa. 51:11.
NoTE.—This verse is nearly identical with
Isa. 35:10, and furnishes a good illustration
of how an event of the past, as Israel's de-
liverance from Egypt, will suggest the
greater deliverance that shall soon come
to God's people.
8.
In view of the power of God
manifested in behalf of His people,
what pertinent questions does He ask?
Isa. 51:12, 13.
[ 8 ]
DEATH AND TRAGEDY DESTROY MANS
'DREAMS
OF SECURITY AND HAPPINESS.
9.
What will God do for the cap-
tives? How is His power described?
What is His name? Isa. 51:14, 15.
NoTE.—The American Revised Version
is a little clearer: "The captive exile shall
speedily be loosed; and he shall not die
and go down into the pit, neither shall his
bread fail."
10.
What has God done for His
people? What does He say to Zion?
Isa. 51:16.
NorE.—The Revised Standard Version
renders this verse: "I have put My words
in your mouth, and hid you in the shadow
of My hand, stretching out the heavens
and laying the foundations of the earth,
and saying to Zion, 'You are My people.'"
Message to Jerusalem
11.
What call comes to Jerusalem?
Why? Isa. 51:17.
NoTE.—The prophet here by anticipation
speaks of the destruction of Jerusalem by
Nebuchadnezzar, and the resulting calami-
ties. 2 Kings 25:8-11. Compare Jer. 42:18.
12.
What judgments would come
upon Jerusalem? What is said of her
sons? Isa. 51:18-20.
NoTE.—"None to guide." When Jerusa-
lem was destroyed and most of the people
taken into captivity, the leaders were also
taken. A few people remained in the land.
but there were no loyal, official leaders.
When Jeremiah, Baruch, and others were
taken to Egypt, the land was left quite
uninhabited. Jer. 43:5-7.
"These two things." "Desolation," or
wasting produced by the "famine" within
the city; and "destruction," produced by
the "sword" without the city.
13.
How does the Lord express His
intention to turn the affliction of His
people against their enemies? Isa.
51:21-23.
NoTE.—"Thy God that pleadeth the
cause of His people." This can be none
other than Christ.
"I have taken out of thine hand the
cup." God promised to take the cup away
from Jerusalem and give it to the nations
that afflicted her. These nations had
trampled upon His people, and now retri-
bution comes.
"The eye of God, looking down the ages,
was fixed upon the crisis which His people
are to meet, when earthly powers shall be
arrayed against them. Like the captive
exile, they will be in fear of death by star-
vation or by violence. But the Holy One
who divided the Red Sea before Israel, will
manifest His mighty power and turn their
captivity. . . . If the blood of Christ's
faithful witnesses were shed at this time, it
would not, like the blood of the martyrs, be
as seed sown to yield a harvest for God.
. . . Glorious will be the deliverance of
those who have patiently waited for His
coming and whose names are written in the
book of life."—The
Great Controversy,
page 634.
[ 9 ]
Lesson 3, for April 21, 1956
From Defeat to Victory
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 52.
MEMORY VERSE:
"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that
bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of
good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" Isa.
52:7.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald:" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapter 52.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check
Study
Check
Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
Tuesday: Ques. 8-10.
of the lesson.
❑
Wednesday: Ques. 11-13.
0
Sunday: Introduction; Ques.
1-3.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
0
Monday: Ques. 4-7.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Lesson Outline:
II. Glad Tidings
Introduction
Captivity to Be Turned
1.
Zion called to awake. Isa. 52:1.
2.
Loose thy bands. Isa. 52:2.
3.
Redeemed without money. Isa.
52:3.
4.
Egyptian and Assyrian oppression.
Isa. 52:4.
5.
Deliverance in name of the Lord.
Isa. 52:5, 6.
6.
Thy God reigneth. Isa. 52:7.
7.
The watchman's voice. Isa. 52:8.
8: Occasion for joy. Isa. 52:9.
9.
Salvation by the arm of the Lord.
Isa. 52:10.
10.
A complete and ordered exit.
Isa. 52:11, 12.
III. My Servant
11.
Exalted and extolled. Isa. 52:13.
12.
Cause of astonishment. Isa. 52:14.
13.
Effect on the nations. Isa. 52:15.
THE LESSON
Introduction
The first picture in this chapter is much
more encouraging than that presented in
chapter 51. Zion is called to awake, to put
on her strength and her beautiful gar-
ments. God will cleanse and beautify the
church, and henceforth no unclean thing
shall enter.
The second picture presented to us is
that of the gospel proclamation. God's
people are united. They sing together;
they are one. God is baring His holy arm
for them. They have left Babylon. They
are clean. God goes before them, and they
are victorious.
The last part of chapter 52 introduces
the suffering Servant of God, the subject
with which the next chapter will deal
more fully. Though His visage was marred,
yet He shall be exalted and extolled, and
be very high.
Captivity to Be Turned
1. What call is again made to Jeru-
salem? Who shall henceforth come
no more into the Holy City? Isa. 52:1.
[ 10
2.
What was Jerusalem, the captive
daughter of Zion, told to do? Isa.
52:2.
NoTE.—Israel is here bidden to put on
her strength and the beautiful garments of
righteousness.
"Thy beautiful garments.
That is, gar-
ments of beauty and holiness (see Ex. 28:2).
Zion had long been in a state of ignominy
and obscurity.. Now she was to awake
and to resume her position of honor and
glory."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Isa. 52:1.
"Shake thyself from the dust." Get rid
of all sin.
"Loose thyself from the bands of thy
neck," literally, the bands of thy neck are
loosened; that is, I have caused thy chains
to fall from thee.
3.
For what had they sold them-
selves? How shall they be redeemed?
Isa. 52:3.
NOTE.—"Without money.
In the redemp-
tion of Israel from oppression at the hands
of the nations round about, Isaiah sees a
promise of eventual deliverance from the
dominion of sin. As Cyrus was to deliver
God's people from Babylon (chs. 44:28 to
45:13), so Christ would deliver them from
the bondage of sin (Rom. 3:24; 1 Peter 1:
18, 19). God was not obliged to pay a ran-
som for His people, either to the prince of
evil or to the nations that held them in
captivity."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bi-
ble Commentary,
on Isa. 52:3.
4.
Where did the people aforetime
go? How did the Assyrians treat
them? Isa. 52:4.
NoTE.—"The enemy is buying souls to-
day very cheap. 'Ye have sold yourselves
for nought,' is the language of Scripture.
One is selling his soul for the world's ap-
plause, another for money; one to gratify
base passions, another for worldly amuse-
ment. Such bargains are made daily. Satan
is bidding for the purchase of Christ's
blood and buying them cheap, notwith-
standing the infinite price which has been
paid to ransom
them."—Testimonies, vol.
5, p. 133.
Israel experienced three captivities: the
first when they "went down" into Egypt
and were made to serve. Ex. 1:13, 14.
The second was the Assyrian Captivity
of the ten tribes.
2
Kings 15:29; 17:6;
18:13.
The third was the Babylonian Captivity
of Judah and Benjamin, referred to in Isa.
52:5.
5.
By reason of the affliction what
was done to the name of the Lord?
What would Israel be made to know?
Isa. 52:5, 6.
NOTE.—"To the prophet [Isaiah] was
given a revelation of the beneficent design
of God in scattering impenitent Judah
among the nations of earth. 'My people
shall know My name,' the Lord declared;
`they shall know in that day that I am He
that doth speak.' And not only were they
themselves to learn the lesson of obedience
and trust; in their places of exile they were
also to impart to others a knowledge of the
living God. Many from among the sons
of the strangers were to learn to love Him
as their Creator and their Redeemer; they
were to begin the observance of His holy
Sabbath day as a memorial of His creative
power; and when He should make 'bare His
holy arm in the eyes of all the nations,' to
deliver His people from captivity, 'all the
ends of the earth' should see of the salva-
tion of God. Many of these converts froin
heathenism would wish to unite themselves
fully with the Israelites, and accompany
them on the return journey to Judea."—
Prophets and Kings,
pages 371, 372.
Glad Tidings
6.
What is said of him that bring-
eth good tidings? What is said to
Zion? Isa. 52:7.
NoTE.—The good tidings referred first
to the news to Israel in Babylon that they
were free to leave the land of their cap-
tivity and return to the land of Judea. It
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is also the gospel proclamation: good tid-
ings, salvation, peace.
"Thy God reigneth !" God is still ruling
in the affairs of men. It may seem that
things are going to pieces, that evil is
triumphant and the right is perverted. But
be of good cheer. "Thy God reigneth !"
7.
What shall be the experience of
the watchmen "when the Lord shall
bring again Zion"? Isa. 52:8.
NoTE.—"Never was there so great a di-
versity of faith in Christendom as at the
present day. If the gifts [Ephesians 4:11-
13] were necessary to preserve the unity
of the primitive church, how much more
so to restore unity now! And that it is
the purpose of God to restore the unity of
the church in the last days, is abundantly
evident from the prophecies. We are as-
sured that the watchmen shall see eye to
eye, when the Lord shall bring again Zion.
Also, that in the time of the end the wise
shall understand. When this is fulfilled
there will be unity of faith with all whom
God accounts wise; for those that do in
reality understand aright, must necessarily
understand alike. What is to effect this
unity but the gifts that were given for this
very purpose
?"—Early Writings,
page 140.
8.
What is the theme of Jerusa-
lem's song? Isa. 52:9.
9.
Who shall witness the salvation
of God, and when? Isa. 52:10.
10.
What instruction was given
priests and people for their departure
from Babylon? Isa. 52:11, 12.
NOTE.—God's ministers must be holy,
clean. So must His people. This scripture
applies to ministers and people.
"Not go out with haste." This refers
first to the departure from Babylonian Cap-
tivity, as described in Ezra; but the scrip-
ture also has a wider application. God
wants His people to be ready and to do
deliberately and with forethought that
which needs to be done. God is not hur-
ried, and He will go before us. He will also
be our rereward. The final triumph of His
people at Christ's coming will likewise be
a complete victory in full sight of the na-
tions.
My Servant
11.
What will God's Servant do?
Because of this, what will be His posi-
tion? Isa. 52:13.
NoTE.—Beginning with Isa. 52:13 we are
introduced to the greatest Old Testament
Messianic prophecy, which is carried on
into chapter 53.
"My Servant shall deal wisely." (Ameri-
can Revised Version.) The word here
used primarily means "wisely," but it also
includes the success which is normally the
result of wise action; hence the margin
has "prosper."
Christ did deal wisely in all acts of life.
Wisely He chose His disciples not from the
rich or learned, lest it be said that influ-
ence or learning was the cause of His re-
markable success. Wisely He refused to be
made king, lest ambition be laid to His
charge. Wisely He hid His divinity and
did most of His miracles unnoticed, so that
the supernatural should not have undue in-
fluence in the decisions of men. Wisely He
[ 12
submitted Himself to civil authority.
Wisely He answered subtle questions and
avoided others. Wisely He dealt with the
erring and downtrodden. No unwise word
or action has ever been laid to His charge
—not even by His enemies.
"Shall be exalted." Christ was highly
exalted. Phil. 2:9-11.
12. Why were many astonished?
Isa. 52:14.
NOTE.—The word "astonied" expresses
the thought of blank amazement, mingled
with horror, aroused in those who should
behold the Saviour's extreme anguish and
suffering.
"He bore insult, mockery, and shameful
abuse, until 'His visage was so marred
more than any man, and His form more
than the sons of men.'
"Who can comprehend the love here dis-
played! The angelic host beheld with won-
der and with grief Him who had been the
Majesty of heaven, and who had worn the
crown of glory, now wearing the crown of
thorns, a bleeding victim to the rage of an
infuriated mob, fired to insane madness by
the wrath of Satan. Behold the patient
Sufferer! Upon His head is the thorny
crown. His lifeblood flows from every
lacerated vein. All this in consequence of
sin! Nothing could have induced Christ
to leave His honor and majesty in heaven,
and come to a sinful world, to be neg-
lected, despised, and rejected by those He
came to save, and finally to suffer upon the
cross, but eternal, redeeming love, which
will ever remain a
mystery."—Testimonies,
vol. 2, p. 207.
13. What will He do to many na-
tions? What will kings do? Why?
Isa. 52:15.
NOTE.—This verse speaks of the results
of Christ's humiliation.
"So shall He sprinkle many nations,"
rather, "startle." The American Revised
Version, pitting verses 14 and 15 together,
reads, "Like as many were astonished at
Thee (His visage was so marred more
than any man, and His form more than
the sons of men), so shall He startle [aston-
ish] many nations." See margin. It should
be an astonishing thing that from such an
act, the suffering and death of an innocent
person, should come such wonderful results.
"Kings shall shut their mouths at Him,"
in reverence, as princes did in the case of
Job before calamity came upon him. Job
29:8, 9.
Lesson 4, for April 28, 1956
The Man of Sorrows
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 53.
MEMORY VERSE:
"But
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for
our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His
stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapter 53; "Testimonies," vol.
2, pp.
200-215; "The Desire of Ages," pages 741-757.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
,Tuesday: Ques. 7-9.
of the lesson.
❑
Wednesday: Ques. 10-12.
Sunday: Introduction; Ques. 1-3.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
0
Monday: Ques. 4-6.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
[13]
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Doubt and Rejection of the Lord's
Messenger
1.
Disbelief in the message. Isa. 53:1.
2.
He appears to be undesirable. Isa.
53:2.
3.
Despised and rejected. Isa. 53:3.
II. He Was Smitten for Us
4.
Bore our griefs. Isa. 53:4.
5.
Wounded and bruised for us. Isa.
53:5. Compare Rom. 4:25; 1 Pe-
ter 2:24.
6. Carried guilt of our waywardness.
Isa. 53:6.
III. A Vicarious Sacrifice
7. Uncomplaining victim. Isa. 53:7.
8. Stricken for our transgressions.
Isa. 53:8.
9. Innocent victim. Isa. 53:9.
IV. An Acceptable Sacrifice
10. Pleasure of the Lord. Isa. 53:10.
11. Satisfaction assured. Isa. 53:11.
12. Reward at last. Isa. 53 :12.
THE LESSON
Introduction
"It would be well to spend a thoughtful
hour each day reviewing the life of Christ
from the manger to Calvary. We should
take it point by point and let the imagina-
tion vividly grasp each scene, especially the
closing ones of His earthly life. By thus
contemplating His teachings and sufferings,
and the infinite sacrifice made by Him for
the redemption of the race, we may
strengthen our faith, quicken our love, and
become more deeply imbued with the spirit
which sustained our
Saviour."-Testimo-
nies,
vol. 4, p. 374.
The wrong views which the Jews held in
regard to sin and suffering definitely in-
fluenced them in the rejection of Christ. If
any man suffered, it was clear to them
that he must be a great sinner. God knew
this, and in the fifty-third chapter of Isa-
iah He sought to correct the idea. Christ
was indeed smitten of God, but it was for
our sake; He was scourged, but it was
that we might be healed.
The suffering, death, and resurrection of
Christ must ever be vital in the life and
witness of every Christian. The subject
of the atonement can never grow old.
Righteousness by faith rightly understood
and practiced is needed more than ever.
Contemplation of the last scenes in the
life of Christ will draw the soul nearer to
God. May this lesson serve that hallowed
purpose.
Doubt and Rejection of the
Lord's Messenger
1.
What two questions link this
chapter with great announcements
made in the previous chapter? Isa.
53:1.
2.
What is said of Christ's growth
and appearance? Isa. 53:2.
NOTE.
-In the Old Testament it was re-
quired that the sacrifice should be perfect,
without blemish. Lev. 1:3 ; 6:6. Concern-
ing Christ's personal appearance, read
Early
Writings,
page 172.
It was in the spiritual rather than in the
physical sense that the Jews rejected Christ.
If He had come as a prince and received
honor of men; if He had used His miracu-
lous power to free them from the Roman
yoke; if He would even continue to feed
them as He had done with the five thou-
sand, they might have accepted Him.
"For more than a thousand years the
Jewish people had waited the coming of
the promised Saviour. Their brightest hopes
had rested upon this event. For a thou-
sand years, in song and prophecy, in tem-
ple rite and household prayer, His name
had been enshrined; and yet when He
14 ]
came, they did not recognize Him as the
Messiah for whom they had so long
waited. 'He came unto His own, and His
own received Him not.' To their world-
loving hearts, the Beloved of heaven was
`as a root out of a dry ground.' In their
eyes He had 'no form nor comeliness;' they
discerned in Him no beauty that they
should desire
Him."—Prophets and Kings,
page 710.
3.
In what graphic language does
the prophet describe the experience
of Christ among men? Isa. 53:3.
NoTE.—"Mark the humble life of the
Son of God. . . . Behold His ignominy,
His agony in Gethsemane, and learn what
self-denial is. Are we suffering want? so
was Christ, the Majesty of heaven. But
His poverty was for our sakes. Are we
ranked among the rich? so was He. But
He consented for our sakes to become poor,
that we through His poverty might be
made rich. In Christ we have self-denial
exemplified. His sacrifice consisted not
merely in leaving the royal courts of
heaven, in being tried by wicked men as a
criminal and pronounced guilty, and in
being delivered up to die as a malefactor,
but in bearing the weight of the sins of the
world. The life of Christ rebukes our in-
difference and
coldness."—Testimonies, vol.
3, p. 407.
He Was Smitten for Us
4.
Even though Christ bore the
griefs and sorrows of men, how was
He esteemed? Isa. 53:4. Compare
Matt. 8:16, 17.
NOTE.—"It
was generally believed by the
Jews that sin is punished in this life. Every
affliction was regarded as the penalty of
some wrongdoing, either of the sufferer
himself or of his parents. It is true that all
suffering results from the transgression of
God's law, but this truth had become per-
verted. Satan, the author of sin and all its
results, had led men to look upon disease
and death as proceeding from God,—as
punishment arbitrarily inflicted on account
of sin. Hence, one upon whom some
AN HOUR EACH DAY IN PRAYER AND
MEDITATION OF CHRIST'S LIFE AND SACRIFICE
WILL
sfiteNorrieN
OUR FAITH
ANC. QUICKEN
OUR
LPL'S.
great affliction or calamity had fallen had
the additional burden of being regarded as
a great sinner.
"Thus the way was prepared for the
Jews to reject Jesus. He who `hath borne
our griefs, and carried our sorrows' was
looked upon by the Jews as 'stricken,
smitten of God, and afflicted;' and they
hid their faces from Him. Isa. 53:4, 3."—
The Desire of Ages,
page 471.
5.
For whom was Christ wounded
and bruised? What was accomplished
by His suffering? Isa. 53:5. Compare
Rom. 4:25; 1 Peter 2:24.
NOTE.—"Christ
was treated as we de-
serve, that we might be treated as He de-
serves. He was condemned for our sins, in
which He had no share, that we might be
justified by His righteousness, in which we
had no share. He suffered the death which
was ours, that we might receive the life
which was His. 'With His stripes we are
healed.'
"—The Desire of Ages,
page 25.
6.
To what does the Lord liken
wayward man? What has the Lord
laid on Christ? Isa. 53:6.
NoTE.—When a whole flock goes astray,
it is generally because the leaders have
gone astray. Let the first sheep lead the
[ 15 ]
way, and all the rest follow. While God
does not excuse those who have gone after
their own way, He places the chief responsi-
bility upon the leaders.
"The Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity
of us all." "Whether they know it or not,
all are weary and heavy-laden. All are
weighed down with burdens that only
Christ can remove. The heaviest burden
that we bear is the burden of sin. If we
were left to bear this burden, it would
crush us. But the Sinless One has taken
our place. . . . He has borne the burden
of our guilt. He will take the load from
our weary shoulders. He will give us rest.
The burden of care and sorrow also He will
bear. He invites us to cast all our care
upon Him; for He carries us upon His
heart."—The
Desire of Ages,
pages 328, 329.
A Vicarious Sacrifice
7.
How was the divine patience of
Christ manifested? Isa. 53:7. Com-
pare Matt. 27:12-14; Luke 23:8, 9.
NorE.—"He was oppressed." The word
denotes harsh, cruel, and arbitrary treat-
ment, such as that of a slave driver. The
same word is used in Ex. 3:7.
"As a lamb to the slaughter." Christ's
trial was neither just nor legal. It was not
an execution, but a slaughter.
8.
Where was Christ taken? Why
was He stricken? Isa. 53:8.
9.
With whom was His grave
made? What further testimony is
borne as to His character? Isa. 53:9.
NOTE.—The preceding verse states that
Christ was unjustly condemned, and verse
7 says He was led as a lamb to the slaugh-
ter. This verse emphasizes the fact that
Christ was sinless, that He had done no
violence, and that there was no deceit in
Him. Had the leaders in Israel diligently
studied the prophecies, they could not but
have seen the parallel between Christ and
Isaiah 53. They would have known that
Isaiah spoke of One who should be con-
demned unjustly, who should patiently
take the insults offered, who would not
retaliate or open His mouth in His own
defense. When at last the rich Joseph
buried Him, had they understood the
prophecies they would have seen the ful-
fillment of this prophecy.
An Acceptable Sacrifice
10.
What did it please the Lord to
do? What further testimony is borne
as to His character? Isa. 53:10.
NOTE.-"It
pleased the Lord." It was by
"the determinate counsel and foreknowl-
edge of God" (Acts 2:23) that Christ suf-
fered. It was according to the plan laid
from eternity.
"His soul an offering for sin." Christ
"made Himself an offering for sin, that we
might be justified before God through
Him."—Testimonies,
vol. 4, p. 374.
When we shall present that offering be-
fore God, "He shall see His seed," that is,
we shall then be reckoned among "the
seed," and become "heirs according to the
promise." Gal. 3:29 ; Ps. 22:30. Christ
"shall see His seed" among His true fol-
lowers. "He shall prolong His days." This
is the resurrection. He shall live again.
11.
When Christ sees the fruit of
His labor and suffering, how will He
feel? How will many be justified?
Isa. 53:11.
NorE.—Christ "shall see of the travail of
of His soul," that is, those for whom He
labored and suffered. "Then, in the results
of His work, Christ will behold its recom-
pense. In that great multitude which no
man could number, presented 'faultless be-
fore the presence of His glory with exceed-
ing joy,' He whose blood has redeemed
and whose life has taught us, 'shall see of
the travail of His soul, and shall be satis-
fied.'
"—Education,
page 309.
The Revised Standard Version reads,
"By His knowledge shall the righteous One,
My Servant, make many to be accounted
righteous." The knowledge spoken of here
is the knowledge of experience. Christ
was made a perfect Saviour by the things
16 ]
He suffered. Heb. 2:10. To really know
Christ, that is, to know Him as we ought,
is eternal life (John 17:3) ; but such
knowledge is gained only by experience as
we enter into the fellowship of His suf-
fering. See Phil. 3:10, 11.
12. What will God divide or give
to Christ? Why is this given to Him?
Isa. 53:12.
NoTE.-The picture presented is of a con-
queror returning from battle and dividing
the spoil. Men here make themselves a
name by their heroism and valor, and so
Christ also is to be given "a name which
is above every name." Phil. 2:9. His "spoil"
is the souls He has won in battle. And this
victory is won and this reward given "be-
cause He hath poured out His soul unto
death."
Lesson 5, for May 5, 1956
The God of Comfort
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 54; 55.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him
while He is near: let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him;
and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Isaiah 55:6, 7.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapters 54; 55.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
Tuesday: Ques. 7-9.
of the lesson.
❑
Wednesday: Ques. 10-15.
0
Sunday: Introduction; Ques. 1-3.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
0
Monday: Ques. 4-6.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
El
Lesson Outline:
III. Buy Without Money
Introduction
I. The Great Ingathering of Souls
1.
Occasion for rejoicing. Isa. 54:1.
2.
Enlargement called for. Isa. 54:2, 3.
3.
Shame and reproach removed.
Isa. 54:4, 5.
II. God's Promised Protection
4.
God's kindness and mercy as-
sured. Isa. 54:8-10.
5.
Peace instead of affliction. Isa.
54:11-14.
6.
The heritage of God's people.
Isa. 54:16, 17.
7. An invitation to the thirsty. Isa.
55:1.
8.
Vain expenditure. Isa. 55:2.
9. An everlasting covenant. Isa.
55:3, 4.
IV. Call to Seek the Lord
10. God's people to seek Him. Isa.
55:5, 6.
11. Wicked to turn to the Lord.
Isa. 55:7.
12. God's merciful ways. Isa.
55:8, 9.
V. The Word of the Lord Shall Prosper
13. Not return void. Isa. 55:10, 11.
14. Joy in service. Isa. 55:12.
15. Transformation. Isa. 55:13.
[
17
THE LESSON
Introduction
The first part of chapter 54 deals with
the relation of God to His people under
the symbol of husband and wife. This
idea forms the basis of many references in
both the Old and the New Testament. Jer.
3:14; 31:32; 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:23-32.
To be untrue to God is called "adultery."
Ezek. 23:37. Hence we need not apply
these lessons to Israel only. They have an
application now.
The second part of the chapter deals with
God's protecting care over His people. He
created the smith who is forging the weapon
with intent to torture God's people. In
other words, God knows. He is responsi-
ble. Trust Him, and all will be well. "No
weapon that is formed against thee shall
prosper." That is our heritage.
Chapter 55 presents salvation as being
freely offered to all, but it becomes a real-
ity only to those who enter into covenant
relation with God.
While God thus extends mercy to all, the
door will not always be open. God may be
found now, later it may be too late. There-
fore, seek Him now.
The Great Ingathering of Souls
1.
What promise is a call to break
forth into singing? Isa. 54:1.
2.
What should be done to make
room for the great ingathering of
souls? Isa. 54:2, 3.
NOTE.—"The children of Israel were to
occupy all the territory which God ap-
pointed them. Those nations that rejected
the worship and service of the true God
were to be dispossessed. But it was God's
purpose that by the revelation of His char-
acter through Israel men should be drawn
unto Him. To all the world the gospel
invitation was to be given. Through the
teaching of the sacrificial service Christ
was to be uplifted before the nations, and
all who would look unto Him should live.
All who, like Rahab the Canaanite, and
Ruth the Moabitess, turned from idolatry
to the worship of the true God, were to
unite themselves with His chosen people. As
the numbers of Israel increased they were
to enlarge their borders, until their king-
dom should embrace the world.
"God desired to bring all peoples under
His merciful rule. He desired that the
earth should be filled with joy and peace.
He created man for happiness, and He longs
to fill human hearts with the peace of
heaven. He desires that the families below
shall be a symbol of the great family above.
"But Israel did not fulfill God's purpose."
—Christ's Object Lessons,
page 290.
Because of this failure of ancient Israel,
God's purpose is
yet to
be fulfilled by His
church in the last days of earth's history.
"Looking on still farther through the
ages, the prophet beheld the literal fulfill..
ment of these glorious promises. He saw
the bearers of the glad tidings of salvation
going to the ends of the earth, to every
kindred and people. . . .
"These prophecies of a great spiritual
awakening in a time of gross darkness, are
today meeting fulfillment in the advancing
lines of mission stations that are reaching
out into the benighted regions of earth."
—Prophets and Kings,
pages 374, 375.
3.
What does the Lord promise to
remove from His people? What re-
lationship does He sustain to them?
Isa. 54:4, 5.
NOTE.—"Thy Maker is thine husband."
This explains the statements in verses 1 and
4 concerning the "married wife" and "wid-
owhood." That is, God is the husband
of the church. This, of course, has specific
reference to Christ. Eph. 5:32.
God's Promised Protection
4.
What beautiful assurance is
given to God's people? Isa. 54:8-10.
5.
What promises does God give
the afflicted? By whom will the chil-
dren be taught? What great blessing
is promised them? Isa. 54:11-14.
[18
1
116
CHRISTIAN SPENDS HIS
MONEY
AS
A
STEWARD OF 60D; USELESS SPENoNa
is
SIN.
NoTE.—In John 6:45 Christ quotes this
text. See also 1 Thess. 4:9. "Great shall be
the peace." In a world of tumult, God's
people will have peace. Serene, confident,
unperturbed, God's own will pass through
the perils of the last days. See John 14:27;
Ps. 119:165.
6.
Why should God's people have
no fear of the weapons of the de-
stroyer? Isa. 54:16, 17.
Buy Without Money
7.
What gracious invitation is
given to everyone who hungers and
thirsts after righteousness? Isa. 55:1.
Nora.—"Everyone that thirsteth." The
condition for receiving the blessings of God
is not riches, for you may come without
money. It does not depend upon circum-
stances, or rank, or learning. It is simply
your need. Are you thirsty? Then come.
Thirst is perhaps the greatest and most
compelling of physical desires. A man who
is hungry will, after a while, quietly lie
down and die; the thirsty man will spend
himself in mad strivings. His whole nature
is burning up. He
must
have water. This
strong desire is compared to spiritual thirst.
David uses the same figure. Ps. 42:1, 2;
63:1. See also John 4:13, 14.
The water signifies:
Christ.—Patriarchs and Prophets,
page
413.
The word of
God.—Steps to Christ,
page 93.
Emblem of divine
grace.—Patriarchs
and Prophets,
page 412.
Spiritual
life.—The Desire of Ages,
page 190.
Wine and milk are used as figures.
8.
What important question is
asked concerning the spending of
money? What similar question is
asked about labor? What advice is
given? Isa. 55:2.
NoTE.—Spending money uselessly is sin.
In this day when there are people suffering
for the necessities of life, when there is an
even greater spiritual need, we must be
careful in the expenditure of every penny.
"Money is a trust from God. It is not
ours to expend for the gratification of pride
or ambition. In the hands of God's chil-
dren it is food for the hungry, and clothing
for the naked. It is a defense to the op-
pressed, a means of health to the sick, a
means of preaching the gospel to the poor.
You could bring happiness to many hearts
by using wisely the means that is now
spent for show. Consider the life of Christ.
Study His character, and be partakers with
Him in His self-denial."—The
Ministry of
Healing,
page 287.
9.
What does the Lord promise to
establish with His people? Isa. 55:3, 4.
NoTE.—"An everlasting covenant." This
covenant of grace was first made in Eden.
Gen. 3:15. It was renewed to Abraham.
Gen. 17:7; 22:18; 26:4, 5. It was ratified
by Christ on the cross. See
Patriarchs and
Prophets,
pages 370, 371. And "in the last
days of this earth's history, God's• cove-
nant with His commandment-keeping peo-
ple is to be
renewed."—Prophets and Kings,
page 299.
"The sure mercies of David." These mer-
cies are the precious promises given to Da-
vid, including the promise of the Saviour
through David's line. Ps. 89:1-5; 2 Sam.
23:5.
[ 19
Tuesday: Ques. 9-11.
Wednesday: Ques.
12
-
14.
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Check Study
❑
0
1:1
Call to Seek the Lord
10.
Because of God's favor to His
people, what are they called upon to
do? Isa. 55:5, 6. Compare Zeph. 2:3.
NOTE.—The day will come when some
shall seek, but shall not find. Amos 8:11, 12.
11.
What must the wicked and
the unrighteous forsake? How will
God treat the sinner if he returns?
Isa. 55:7.
12.
Why can we not understand
fully the thoughts and the ways of
God? Isa. 55:8, 9. Compare Jer.
29:11.
The Word of the Lord
Shall Prosper
13.
How is the word of God com-
pared with the rain and snow? Isa.
55:10, 11.
NoTE.—"It shall prosper." "The work of
the sower is a work of faith. The mystery
of the germination and growth of the seed
he cannot understand; but he has confi-
dence in the agencies by which God causes
vegetation to flourish. He casts away the
seed, expecting to gather it manyf old in
an abundant harvest. So parents and
teachers are to labor, expecting a harvest
from the seed they
sow."—Education,
page
105.
14.
In what spirit are we to go
forth in seed sowing? How is nature
said to rejoice? Isa. 55:12.
NoTE.—The word "for" connects this
verse with the preceding one. God will do
His part. He will send rain and snow, but
man must also do his part. We must do the
planting; God will give the increase.
15.
What transformation shall take
place? What shall this be to the
Lord? Isa. 55:13.
NoTE.—Briers and thorns represent evil.
Micah 7:4. By contrast, the fir and myr-
tle would represent righteousness.
"A name." "An everlasting sign." Briers
and thorns turned, spiritually speaking,
into beautiful and useful fir and myrtle
are memorials to God's praise.
Lesson 6, for May 12, 1956
Sabbathkeeping a Blessing to All
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 56.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that lay-
eth hold on it; that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his
hand from doing any evil." Isaiah 56:2.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapter 56.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
of the lesson.
Sunday: Introduction; Ques.
1
-
4.
❑
Monday: Ques. 5-8.
[20
1
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Blessings of Sabbathkeeping
1.
Salvation offered. Isa. 56:1.
2.
A blessing pronounced. Isa. 56:2.
II. God No Respecter of Persons
3.
Strangers and eunuchs not cut off.
Isa. 56:3.
•
4.
Threefold requirement. Isa. 56:4.
5.
A place and an everlasting name.
Isa. 56:5.
6.
Test of the stranger's allegiance.
Isa. 56:6.
7.
God's promise to the strangers. Isa.
56:7.
8.
Ingathering of outcasts and oth-
ers. Isa. 56:8. Compare John
10:16.
III. Blind Watchmen and False
Shepherds
9.
The failure of the watchmen. Isa.
56:9, 10.
10.
Shepherds without understanding.
Isa. 56:11, 12.
11.
Woe to the false shepherds. Ezek.
34:2-5.
12.
Flock required at hands of shep-
herds. Ezek. 34:7-10.
13.
Lord will seek His flock. Ezek.
34:11-15.
14.
Destination and judgment. Ezek.
34:17-23.
THE LESSON
eousness.' Compare the pointed admonition
of Micah 6:8. Religion is not mere theory;
it is intensely practical. God's people must
be orthodox in conduct as well as in doc-
trine before God can work through them
for the conversion of others.. . .
"Near to come.
If Israel had co-operated
fully with God's requirements, His glorious
promises would not have been long delayed.
The same is true of the church today."-
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary,
on Isa. 56:1.
2. What is said of the man that
keeps the Sabbath and refrains from
evil? Isa. 56:2.
Introduction
Chapter 56 is divided into two distinct
parts. Verses 1-8 deal with the promises of
God to all who do His will. Lest some
should think that they are left out, the
strangers and the eunuchs are especially
mentioned. The Sabbath is vital to His
covenant. The keeping of the Sabbath is
shown in verses 2, 4, and 6 to be one of the
conditions of receiving God's blessings.
These promises and conditions apply to all
other peoples as well as to the Jews.
Verses 9-12 state the condition of the
blind watchmen. While we need to be care-
ful in any local application of these state-
ments, we must not forget that this is God's
view of the situation. We need to pray
God to make us faithful watchmen on the
walls of Zion, and that we be not charged
with surfeiting or drunkenness. We should
be wholly clear ourselves of that which
we condemn in others.
Blessings of Sabbathkeeping
1. What reason does God give for
admonishing His people to keep judg-
ment and do justice? Isa. 56:1.
NoTE-"Keep ye judgment, and do jus-
tice.
Better, 'Keep justice and do right-
NOTE.-This blessing is not for the Jews
only, but for "man" and "the son of man."
Neither is the blessing for the one who
obeys occasionally, but to him who "lay-
eth hold on it" or "holds to it," as Moffatt
translates the text.
"Keepeth the Sabbath." How much that
includes ! It requires nothing less than
holiness. "No other institution which was
committed to the Jews tended so fully to
distinguish them from surrounding nations
as did the Sabbath. . . . To keep the Sab-
bath holy, men must themselves be holy.
Through faith they must become partakers
of the righteousness of Christ."-The
De-
sire of Ages,
page 283.
[ 21 ]
God No Respecter of Persons
3.
Against what false conclusions
were the sons of the strangers and
eunuchs warned? Isa. 56:3.
NoTE.—"Many from among the sons of
the strangers were to learn to love Him as
their Creator and their Redeemer; they
were to begin the observance of His holy
Sabbath day as a memorial of His creative
power; and when He should make 'bare His
holy arm in the eyes of all the nations,' to
deliver His people from captivity, 'all the
ends of the earth' should see of the salva-
tion of God. Many of these converts from
heathenism would wish to unite themselves
fully with the Israelites, and accompany
them on the return journey to Judea. None
of these were to say, 'The Lord bath ut-
terly separated me from His people;' for
the word of God through His prophet to
those who should yield themselves to Him
and observe His law, was that they should
thenceforth be numbered among spiritual
Israel—His church on
earth."—Prophets
and Kings,
page 372.
"Eunuch." As the eunuch could not be-
come the head of a family in Israel, he
might fear that he could have no share in
the hopes of Israel. God here allays the
fear that any physical disability will keep
a man out of heaven.
4.
What three things will the eu-
nuchs do whom the Lord addresses?
Isa. 56:4.
NOTE.—"Keep My Sabbaths." Of all the
Ten Commandments, the fourth is the one
chosen as the test and condition of one of
the most beautiful promises either in the
Old or the New Testament.
"Choose the things that please Me."
Christ pleased not Himself. We are not to
please ourselves. In eating or drinking, in
dress or adornment, in association or friend-
ship, in the thousand decisions that come
to us daily, the question should always be:
What will please Him?
"Take hold of My covenant." The
thought here is not merely to "take hold
of," but to hold fast and never give up.
5.
What two things will God give
to those who lay hold of His cove-
nant? How will the name be per-
petuated? Isa. 56:5.
NOTE.—"A place." This place will be "in
Mine house and within My walls." While
this special promise is given to the eunuchs,
we may believe God is no respecter of per-
sons. The same promise applies to all. The
eunuchs to whom these promises were
especially given, would have no sons or
daughters. God, therefore, promises them
something better. God will more than
make up for anything of which we may in
this life be deprived. Eph. 3:20.
"An everlasting name." Some names will
be blotted out. Some will remain. Rev. 3:5.
6.
What is required of strangers
who join themselves to the Lord? Isa.
56:6.
NoTE.—"Serve Him." To join ourselves
to the Lord means more than to subscribe
to a creed. It means service.
To love the name of the Lord is to love
all that that name stands for.
"Keepeth the Sabbath." This is included
in true worship. Those who "join them-
selves to the Lord" will be Sabbathkeepers.
It should be noted that God here again
selects the fourth commandment out of all
the ten as the vital testing commandment.
"Taketh hold of My covenant." He
that "holdeth fast" the covenant will ever
experience the blessing of forgiveness of
sin and the renewing grace of God; he will
be in complete harmony with God's law.
7.
What promises are made to these
strangers? Isa. 56:7.
NOTE.—"My holy mountain," Jerusalem,
or figuratively the church of Christ. The
22 ]
WHILE THE WORLD IS MERRYMAKING AND
FORGETTING
600,
THE CHRISTIAN STANDS
AS A FAITHFUL WATCHMAN, LDOKING, FOR.
CHRIST'S RETURN.
expression
is
also symbolic of the new
earth. Isa. 11:9; 65:25.
"House of prayer," the temple. See
The
Desire of Ages,
page 27. Any place where
God's people assemble becomes a place of
prayer. Acts 12:5, 12; 16:13.
"An house of prayer." Pray is more
than asking for things. Prayer is commun-
ion. God's house is a "house of prayer for
all people." That is, all are invited to come
and pray, not for themselves alone, but
for their neighbors here at home as well as
for others in far-off fields. Thus in a dou-
ble sense God's house is a "house of prayer
for all people."
8. How does the Lord speak of the
gathering of both Jews and Gentiles?
Isa. 56:8. Compare John 10:16.
Blind Watchmen and False
Shepherds
9.
In face of danger, what charge
is made against the watchmen? Isa.
56:9, 10.
NorE.—The wild beasts are the enemies
of God's people, who are coming to devour
the flock while the shepherds are asleep.
10.
What further charges are
brought against the shepherds of the
flock? Isa. 56:11, 12.
11.
What denunciation is pro-
nounced upon the false shepherds by
Ezekiel? Ezek. 34:2-5.
12.
What will the Lord require at
the hand of the shepherds? Ezek. 34:
7-10.
13.
In spite of the neglect of the
false shepherds, what will the Lord
do for His flock? Ezek. 34:11-15.
14.
How are the unfaithful spirit-
ual leaders further reproved? Ezek.
34:17-23.
FOREIGN-LANGUAGE SABBATH-SCHOOL LESSON QUARTERLIES
The senior "Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly" is published in
the following foreign languages: Bohemian, Danish-Norwegian,
German, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbian, Slovakian,
Spanish, Swedish, Ukrainian, and Yugoslavian. Write to the Inter-
national Branch of the Pacific Press at Brookfield, Illinois, for any
of these quarterlies for the strangers within your gates.
23 ]
Lesson 7, for May 19, 1956
The Righteous and the Wicked in the Day of Trouble
LESSON SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 57.
MEMORY VERSE:
"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,
whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is
of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to
revive the heart of the contrite ones." Isa.
57:15.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapter 57.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
of the lesson.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Ques. 1-3.
❑
Monday: Ques. 4-6.
❑
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Peaceful Rest of the Righteous
1.
Removed from coming evil. Isa.
57:1.
2.
Assurance of peaceful rest. Isa.
57:2.
II. Challenge to Evildoers
3.
Mockers of God's people called to
account. Isa. 57:3-10.
4.
Have not remembered God. Isa.
57:11.
5.
Their unprofitable works exposed.
Isa. 57:12.
III. God Speaks
6. Contrasting basis of trust. Isa.
57:13.
7. Prepare the way. Isa. 57:14.
8. God dwells on high, and in heart
of humble. Isa. 57:15.
IV. Comfort to Righteous
9. Not always wroth. Isa. 57:16.
10. Reason for God's anger. Isa.
57:17.
11. Healing and comfort promised.
Isa. 57:18.
12. Peace to those far and near.
Isa. 57:19.
V. Unrest of the Wicked
13. Like troubled sea. Isa. 57:20.
14. No peace. Isa. 57:21.
THE LESSON
Check Study
Tuesday: Ques. 7-10.
Wednesday: Ques. 11-14.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Introduction
While this chapter, like many others in
the prophecy of Isaiah, had reference to the
turbulent times of God's ancient people, it
also contains comfort for the children of
God in these latter days.
In the time of peril, God will not for-
sake His own. He will dwell with the con-
trite and humble, and revive them. He
will give them peace. The wicked, on the
other hand, will continue to throw up
"mire and dirt." For them there is no
peace.
[ 24 ]
Peaceful Rest of the Righteous
1.
With what might one be com-
forted when a righteous man is taken
by death? Isa. 57:1.
NOTE.—"Taken away from the evil to
come." Josiah was promised that he would
be taken away before the evil should
come. 2 Kings 22:20. So with these. At
the time when the Sabbath is the test,
when the watchmen are sleeping, when the
day of trouble is approaching, some will
be "taken away from the evil to come."
2.
What is said of the "rest" or re-
pose of the righteous dead? Isa. 57:2.
NOTE.—"Into peace." "Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord from hence-
forth." Rev. 14:13. They rest while the
world's last struggle is in progress. The
two-horned beast of Revelation 13 is pub-
lishing his decree that whoever will not
worship the image of the beast shall be
killed. Rev. 13:15. God's people are enter-
ing into the time of Jacob's trouble. It is
a terrific final struggle. During this time
some of God's people have entered "into
peace." They "rest in their beds."
"Each one walking," rather, "each one
that walked," referring to those who have
entered into peace.
Challenge to Evildoers
3.
What is said of the wickedness
of evil men at this time? Isa. 57:3-10.
NoTE.—The following suggestions are of-
fered concerning the meaning of these
verses:
These verses are in sharp contrast with
that which precedes them. God has been
speaking of the righteous. Now He turns
to the scoffers that "sport" themselves. It
is evidently the few righteous that still
live among them who are the object of this
mocking. Even as Ishmael mocked Isaac
(Gen. 21:9), and as there shall come mock-
ers in the last days (2 Peter 3:3), so these
mock. To make "a wide mouth," to "draw
out the tongue," are childish gestures, an
evidence of a complete lack of decency and
self-respect.
This description definitely points out who
are meant. They are the "children of trans-
gression,"
that debase themselves "even
unto hell."
4.
What does God say further of
these wicked ones? What has God
done? Isa. 57:11.
NoTE.—"Thou hast lied." God here asks
of whom these people are afraid that they
should think it necessary to lie. It cannot
be that they are afraid of God, for they
do not believe in Him. The thought of
lying to God is there also. Some of these
people of rebellion profess to be God's chil-
dren—their very profession is a lie.
5.
Of what profit are the self-right-
eous works of the wicked? Isa. 57:12.
God Speaks
6.
How does God contrast putting
trust in companions with putting
trust in Him? Isa. 57:13.
NOTE.—"Trust" is the characteristic Old
Testament word for the New Testament
words "faith" and "belief." It occurs one
hundred and fifty-two times in the Old
Testament, and is the rendering of He-
brew words signifying "to take refuge," as
in Ruth 2:12; "to lean on," Ps. 56:3, to
stay upon," Job 35:14.
7.
What preparation will be made
for the righteous to inherit the holy
mountain? Isa. 57:14.
NOTE.—"And it shall be said." (Revised
Standard Version.)
"Cast ye up," or "Build up." That is,
make a highway by heaping up material
for it, and take all obstructions out of the
way. Compare Isa. 62:10.
8.
What special characteristic does
the Lord emphasize when speaking of
Himself? With whom does He dwell?
What will He do for the humble and
contrite? Isa. 57:15.
[251
NorE.—"High and lofty One." The
same as "high and lifted up" in Isa. 6:1,
"Inhabiteth eternity." Lives forever.
"Holy." Even as God is love, so also He
is holy. That, in fact, is His name. "Holi-
ness" includes all the characteristics of God.
"I saw then what faint views some have
of the holiness of God, and how much they
take His holy and reverend name in vain,
without realizing that it is God, the great
and terrible God, of whom they are speak-
ing. . • .
"I also saw that many do not realize
what they must be in order to live in the
sight of the Lord without a high priest
in the sanctuary through the time of trou-
ble. Those who receive the seal of the liv-
ing God and are protected in the time of
trouble must reflect the image of Jesus
fully."—Early Writings,
pages 70, 71.
Comfort to Righteous
9.
What will God not do? What
reason is given for this? Isa. 57:16.
NOTE.—God will not keep His anger for-
ever. Ps. 103:9. His actions are based on
His mercy. If God should hold all to strict
accountability, none could stand. Ps. 130:3.
10.
Notwithstanding the judg-
ments of God, what do the wicked
continue to do? Isa. 57:17.
NoTE.—Covetousness is idolatry. Col.
3:5. "The greatest sin which now exists in
the church is covetousness."—Testimonies,
vol. 1, p. 194.
"The law of tithing was founded upon
an enduring principle and was designed to
be a blessing to man. The system of benev-
olence was arranged to prevent that great
evil, covetousness. Christ saw that in the
prosecution of business the love of riches
would be the greatest cause of rooting true
godliness out of the heart. He saw that
the love of money would freeze deep and
hard into men's souls, stopping the flow
of generous impulses and closing their senses
to the wants of the suffering and the af-
flicted. . . . Covetousness is one of the
most common and popular sins of the last
days, and has a paralyzing influence upon
the
soul."—Testimonies,
vol. 3, p. 547.
WE CAN QUICKLY FREEZE. THE FRUITS OF
THE SPIRIT BY THE
51r4
OF
coverousNEss.
ot
,
2,:i•
"Smote him." Covetousness is here se-
lected as the typical sin. For this God was
"wroth, and smote him." For example, see
Acts 5:1-11.
"I hid me." It is sin that separates from
God. Isa. 59:2.
"He went on." Israel did not heed. "He
went on" in his own way. How true that is
of many professed Christians today!
11.
What does God promise to do
for the repentant sinner? Isa. 57:18.
NoTE.—"I have seen." God is fully aware
of conditions. "Will heal him." He will
heal the contrite ones. What a wonderful
God is ours! He knows our way, that we
have gone astray. Yet He does not leave
us to ourselves.
"I will lead him." Even though we have
gone our own way, God does not forsake
us. He will still lead us. Though many
have gone their own way, God does not
forsake them, but leads them until they
are brought back to Him.
"Restore comforts." There is no real
comfort in sin; but there is wonderful com-
fort in the knowledge of sin forgiven.
12.
What is one of the most pre-
cious gifts the Lord gives to His fol-
lowers? Isa. 57:19.
NoTE.—"The fruit of the lips" means
praise and thanksgiving. Heb. 13:15.
"Peace, peace." At the birth of Christ the
[26]
angels sang, "Peace, good will toward
men." Luke 2:14. At the close of His
ministry, Christ said, "Peace I leave with
you, My peace I give unto you." John 14:
27; 16:33.
Unrest of the Wicked
13. To what are the wicked lik-
ened? Isa. 57:20.
14. For whom is there no peace?
Isa. 57:21.
NOTE.
-The
wicked may engage in
amusements and entertainments to divert
the mind, but true, enduring peace is found
only in Christ.
Lesson 8, for May 26, 1956
A Call for Reformation
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 58.
MEMORY VERSE:
"If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy
pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the
Lord, honorable; and shalt honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding
thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: then
-
shalt thou delight
thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the
earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of
the Lord hath spoken it." Isa. 58:13, 14.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald:" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapter 58.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check
Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
Tuesday: Ques. 8-11.
of the lesson.
❑
Wednesday: Ques. 12-14.
0
Sunday: Introduction; Ques. 1, 2.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
0
Monday: Ques. 3-7.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Message to God's People
1.
Show house of Jacob their sins.
Isa. 58:1.
2.
Identified as pious people. Isa. 58:2.
II. Unprofitable Fasting
3.
The people's complaint. Isa. 58:3.
4.
'Wrong motives. Isa. 58:4.
5.
Questionable procedures. Isa. 58:5.
III. The Acceptable Fast
6.
Four conditions of true fasting.
Isa. 58:6.
7.
Consideration for the needy. Isa.
58:7.
IV. Results of True Fasting
8.
Light and righteousness. Isa. 58:8.
9.
Condition of answered prayer.
Isa. 58:9.
10.
Benevolence brings light from
darkness. Isa. 58:10.
11.
Flourishing experience. Isa. 58:11.
V. Call for Reformation
12.
Repairers of the breach. Isa.
58:12.
13.
Sabbath reform. Isa. 58:13.
14.
Results of this reformation. Isa.
58:14.
[27
l
THE LESSON
Introduction
"What saith the Lord in the fifty-eighth
chapter of Isaiah? The whole chapter is of
the highest
importance."—Testimonies,
vol.
8, p. 159.
This chapter is directed to God's people.
"It is not the wicked world, but those
whom the Lord designates as 'My people,'
that are to be reproved for their transgres-
sions."—The
Great Controversy,
page 452.
"The prophet is addressing Sabbathkeep-
ers, not sinners, not unbelievers."—Testi-
monies,
vol. 2, p. 36.
"The fifty-eighth chapter of Isaiah is a
prescription for maladies of the body and
of the soul. If we desire health and the
true joy of life we must put into practice
the rules given in this scripture."—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 256.
Message to God's People
1.
What emphatic message did
God instruct the prophet to give to
His people? Isa. 58:1.
NoTE.—"Spare not." Do not smooth
matters over. Tell the truth.
"Transgression." "Sin is sin; righteous-
ness is righteousness. The trumpet note of
warning must be sounded. We are living
in a fearfully wicked age. The worship of
God will become corrupted unless there are
wide-awake men at every post of duty. It
is no time now for any to be absorbed in
selfish ease. Not one of the words which
God has spoken must be allowed to fall to
the
ground."—Testimonies,
vol. 4,
p. 517.
2.
Notwithstanding their sins and
transgressions, how had the professed
followers of God been seeking to win
His favor? Isa. 58:2.
NoTE.—"Daily." It is possible, then, to
seek the Lord daily, to have family wor-
ship and private devotions, and yet not be
right with God. What an alarming and
heart-searching thought!
These people delight to know God's ways.
They are eager to know the divine will, as
eager as if they were in reality a people
that practiced righteousness. They may not
be conscious hypocrites, but they seem to
lack a proper appreciation of what consti-
tutes true religion.
"The ordinance of their God," the Sab-
bath (verse 13).
Unprofitable Fasting
3.
What complaint did the people
bring against God? What answer did
God give? Isa. 58:3.
Nom—Having fasted, these people ex-
pect God to take heed and give them due
credit, or reward. Now they complain that
God apparently has not seen them. They
are willing to conform to all the require-
ments of religion, but they want recogni-
tion for it, they want pay.
Real fasting presupposes such a seeking
of God that worldly things will be for-
gotten. True fasting permits of no other
"business" than that of seeking God. Merely
to be hungry is not to fast.
4.
For what purpose did they fast?
Isa. 58:4.
Nom—Fasting should humble the spirit
and produce kindness and love in the heart
for others. The fasting here mentioned pro-
duces irritation and ill feeling, even to the
point of angry debate and "smiting."
"Ye fast not this day so as to make your
voice to be heard on high." (American Re-
vised Version.) Their fast was not such
that God could hear them.
5.
What questions did God now
ask? Isa. 58:5.
Nom—God disapproves of the kind of
fasting here mentioned. "Jesus said, 'When
thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash
thy face; that thou appear not unto men to
fast, but unto thy Father which is in se-
cret.' Whatever is done to the glory of
God is to be done with cheerfulness, not
[ 28 ]
AS SCIENCE IZEVEALS DISEASE
(SOD'S
TRUTH POINTS OUT SIN AND GIVES THE
REMEDY.
with sadness and gloom. There is nothing
gloomy in the religion of Jesus."—
Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing,
page
131. See also Matt. 6:16-18.
The Acceptable Fast
6.
What four things are mentioned
as being included in true fasting? Isa.
58:6.
NoTE.—"Loose the bands of wickedness;"
literally, to untie the bands of the yoke.
"Undo the heavy burdens;" literally, the
"broken." Probably such as through debt
had forfeited their liberty. See Neh. 5:8.
"Break every yoke." This includes all
that hinders in any way. Every yoke that
holds you must be broken. Every sin must
be put aside.
7.
What else does the Lord indi-
cate as being more acceptable to Him
than fasting? Isa. 58:7.
NoTE.—Read Testimonies, vol. 2, pp.
32-35.
"In all our work the principle of un-
selfishness revealed in Christ's life is to be
carried out. Upon the walls of our homes,
the pictures, the furnishings, we are to
read, 'Bring the poor that are cast out to
thy house.' On our wardrobes we are to
see written, as with the finger of God,
`Clothe the naked.' In the dining room, on
the table laden with abundant food, we
should see traced, 'Is it not to deal thy
bread to the hungry ?' Isa.
58:7."—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 206.
Results of True Fasting
8.
What wonderful promises does
God make to those who meet the re-
quirements of true fasting? Isa. 58:8.
NoTE.—"Righteousness shall go before."
A life dedicated to doing good cannot be
hid under a bushel. The fame of it will
spread far and wide and "go before." So
also in regard to the life to come. Any
good done will go before and come up be-
fore God as a sweet savor. See Acts 10:4.
"Glory of the Lord." "Rereward"
means "rear guard." As the pillar of cloud
and of fire was a protection to Israel, so
God's people now are promised God's glory
as their protection. See Ex. 14:19-25.
9.
What will be the experience of
those who fast according to God's
conditions? What three things, how-
ever, must be taken away? • Isa. 58:9.
NOTE.—"Take away . . . the yoke," re-
ferred to in verse 6.
"Putting forth of the finger," a gesture
of contempt.
"Speaking vanity," speaking evil.
10.
What other two conditions are
mentioned? What promises are given?
Isa. 58:10.
11.
What beautiful assurances of
guidance, care, and blessing does the
Lord make? Isa. 58:11.
NoTE.—If we satisfy the afflicted soul,
God will satisfy our soul.
"A watered garden." "A spring of. wa-
ter." When the drought comes, the test
comes. In the dark days of life true Chris-
tianity reveals itself. It is for such specific
experiences that these promises are given.
[ 29 ]
Call for Reformation
12.
What will the true followers
of God do? What will they be called?
Isa. 58:12.
NoTE.—"This prophecy also applies in
our time. The breach was made in the law
of God when the Sabbath was changed by
the Roman power. But the time has come
for that divine institution to be restored.
The breach is to be repaired and the foun-
dation of many generations to be raised up."
—The Great Controversy,
page 453.
13.
What reform in Sabbathkeep-
ing did the Lord call for? Isa. 58:13.
NoTE.—"When the Sabbath commences,
we should place a guard upon ourselves,
upon our acts and our words, lest we rob
God by appropriating to our own use that
time which is strictly the Lord's. We
should not do ourselves, nor suffer our
children to do, any manner of our own
work for a livelihood, or anything which
could have been done on the six working
days. Friday is the day of preparation.
Time can then be devoted to making the
necessary preparation for the Sabbath and
to thinking and conversing about it. Noth-
ing which will in the sight of Heaven be
regarded as a violation of the holy Sab-
bath should be left unsaid or undone, to be
said or done upon the Sabbath. God re-
quires not only that we refrain from physi-
cal labor upon the Sabbath, but that the
mind be disciplined to dwell upon sacred
themes. The fourth commandment is vir-
tually transgressed by conversing upon
worldly things or by engaging in light and
trifling conversation. Talking upon any-
thing or everything which may come into
the mind is speaking our own words. Every
deviation from right brings us into bond-
age and condemnation."—Testimonies, vol.
2, pp. 702, 703.
14.
What should come as a result
of true Sabbathkeeping? What prom-
ises are given? Who has said this? Isa.
58:14.
NoTE.—"High places of the earth," that
is, "I will carry thee triumphantly over all
obstacles."—Cambridge Bible.
"Feed thee," cause thee to enjoy.
Lesson 9, for June 2, 1956
A Redeemer Promised; Final Triumph of the Righteous
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 59; 60.
MEMORY VERSE:
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord
is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross
darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be
seen upon thee." Isa. 60:1, 2.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapters 59; 60.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
Tuesday: Ques. 7-10.
of the lesson.
❑
Wednesday: Ques. 11-14.
0
Sunday: Introduction; Ques.
1,
2.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
0
Monday: Ques. 3-6.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
30
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. A Backslidden People
1.
Iniquities separated people from
God. Isa. 59:1-8.
2.
Admission of guilt. Isa. 59:9-15.
3.
God intervenes. Isa. 59:15 (last
part), 16, 17.
II. Recompense and Redemption
4.
Recompense and deliverance. Isa.
59:18, 19.
5.
Zion's Redeemer and His covenant.
Isa. 59:20, 21.
III. A World-Wide Enlightenment
6. Light amidst darkness. Isa.
60:1, 2.
7. Gentiles come to thy light. Isa.
60:3, 4.
8. Converted Gentiles praise the
Lord. Isa. 60:5-7.
9. Sons from afar builders in Zion.
Isa. 60:9-11.
IV. Rejectors Perish-Zion Glorified
10. Fate of rejectors. Isa. 60:12.
11. Glory and exaltation of Zion. Isa.
60:13-18.
V. God Glorified in Zion
12. The Lord an everlasting light.
Isa. 60:19, 20.
13. The eternal inheritance. Isa. 60:21.
14. A strong nation. Isa. 60:22.
THE LESSON
Introduction
Chapter 59 is a continuation of chapter
58. It reveals the reason for the Lord's not
hearing or answering the prayers of the
people. The people are aware of their con-
dition, for in verse 12 they admit that their
iniquities are known to them and that
their sins testify against them.
The lesson is clear. Sin causes separation
from God so that He hides His face from
us; but if we turn from our iniquities, the
Redeemer will meet His people in Zion.
"Arise, shine.
Isaiah here proceeds to
describe a glorious work to be accomplished
by Israel, on the assumption that a refor-
mation, in harmony with ch. 58:6-14, has
taken place. Chapters 60-62 describe this
great work.
"Such was the divine plan for ancient Is-
rael. But as a nation they failed in the
work of reformation within, and God was
unable, therefore, to deliver them from
their enemies without or to make them
His agents in bringing salvation to the
Gentiles. . . . Accordingly, the covenant
privileges and responsibilities were trans-
ferred to spiritual Israel. Hence, the bright
picture of the glorious triumph of the gos-
pel outlined in chs. 60-62 clearly belongs to
God's people today."-The
Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Isa. 60:1.
A Backslidden People
1.
What had caused separation be-
tween God and His people? Isa.
59:1-8.
Nom-These verses present a picture of
terrible backsliding. A profession of god-
liness has been used as a cloak for evil.
, Churchgoers have had a form of godliness
without the power thereof.
2.
In what terms did the people
admit their guilt? Isa. 59:9-15, first
part.
Nom-They admit that they have been
neither truthful nor just, that they have
made crooked paths, and, as a result, have
stumbled like blind men. The situation is
not hopeless, however, for the Lord Him-
self stands ready to deliver His people.
3.
How does God reveal His atti-
tude toward sin? Isa. 59:15 (last part),
16, 17.
[ 31
1
NoTE.—"No man." See Jer. 5:1.
"No intercessor," such as Moses and
Aaron. Num. 16:47, 48.
Though God found "no man" worthy of
the name, yet He did not fail, but brought
salvation and righteousness. God is here
spoken of as a warrior going forth to bat-
tle for His people. He is arming Himself
with His own attributes—righteousness,
salvation, vengeance, and zeal.
Recompense and Redemption
4.
How will God recompense His
enemies? What will God do when the
enemy comes in like a flood? Isa. 59:
18, 19.
NoTE.—"According to their deeds. . . .
When Christ returns, it will be to 'give
every man according as his work shall be'
(Rev. 22:12). The Lord 'is slow to an-
ger,' but the time comes when He will 'take
vengeance on his adversaries' and 'will not
at all acquit the wicked' (see on Nahum
1:2,
3)."—The Seventh-day Adventist Bi-
ble Commentary,
on Isa. 59:18.
"Temptations often appear irresistible be-
cause, through neglect of prayer and the
study of the Bible, the tempted one can-
not readily remember God's promises and
meet Satan with the Scripture weapons.
But angels are round about those who are
willing to be taught in divine things; and
in the time of great necessity they will
bring to their remembrance the very
truths which are needed. Thus 'when the
enemy shall come in like a flood, the
Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard
against
him.'"—The Great Controversy,
page 600.
5.
To whom shall the Redeemer
come? What is God's covenant? Isa.
59:20, 21.
Nam—God shall come in "fury to His
adversaries," verse 18, but as a Redeemer
to all that turn from transgression.
"Thee" refers to the Redeemer of verse
20. The seed is the spiritual seed. Isa. 53:10.
"My Spirit," "My words." The Spirit
is in the word. John 6:63. God's word is
not to depart from our mouths "from
henceforth and forever."
A World-Wide Enlightenment
6.
What are God's people bidden
to do? What shall cover the earth and
the people? In contrast to this what
shall be the experience of God's peo-
ple? Isa. 60:1, 2.
NOTE.—"The words of Christ through
the gospel prophet, which are but re-echoed
in the Sermon on the Mount, are for us in
this last generation: 'Arise, shine; for thy
light is come, and the glory of the Lord is
risen upon
thee.' "—Thoughts From the
Mount of Blessing,
page 69.
Read
Christ's Object Lessons,
p. 415, par.
3; new ed., p. 424.
7.
Who are specifically mentioned
as gathering themselves to those who
have the light? Isa. 60:3, 4.
Norc.—"To those who go out to meet
the Bridegroom is this message given."—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 420. There is
no doubt that these verses found their
fulfillment at the first coming of Christ,
and they will be fulfilled again at His sec-
ond coming. We shall yet see a large in-
gathering of souls, and, according to
prophecy, some of these will come from
among the great of earth.
8.
In what figurative language is
this great ingathering of peoples fur-
ther described? Isa. 60:5-7.
NOTE.—"The forces of the Gentiles," or
"the wealth of the nations," as the Revised
Standard Version gives it. While we may
not look forward to a golden age here on
earth, but rather to opposition and perse-
cution, yet we may believe that God will
grant His people favor for a little while be-
fore the storm breaks, and that in this ex-
perience these verses will find an applica-
tion and fulfillment.
"The great work of the gospel is not to
close with less manifestation of the power
of God than marked its opening. The
prophecies which were fulfilled in the out-
pouring of the former rain at
the
opening
[32
]
of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the
latter rain at its close."—The
Great Con-
troversy,
pages 611, 612.
The great Protestant Reformation and
the 1844 awakening were mighty move-
ments, "but these are to be exceeded by
the mighty movement under the last warn-
ing of the third angel."—Ibid., p. 611.
Read
The Great Controversy,
pages 611,
612.
The Ishmaelites to whom Joseph was
sold were Midianites. Gen. 37:25, 36. The
Ephahs were one of the tribes of Midian.
Gen. 25:4. Sheba was a country of Arabia.
The conversion of such self-seeking and
roving tribes would constitute a supreme
exhibition of the mighty power of God.
9.
Who will build the walls? Who
will be ministers? What is said of
the gates? What will be brought? Isa.
60:9-11.
NOTE.—"These prophecies of a great
spiritual awakening in a time of gross dark-
ness, are today meeting fulfillment in the
advancing lines of mission stations that are
reaching out into the benighted regions of
earth. The groups of missionaries in
heathen lands have been likened by the
prophet to ensigns set up for the guidance
of those who are looking for the light of
truth."—Prophets and Kings,
pages 375,
376.
Rejectors Perish; Zion Glorified
10.
What did God say would hap-
pen to the nations that rejected Him?
Isa. 60:12.
NOTE.—"The failure of Israel to co-
operate with God's plan for them as a na-
tion made impossible the fulfillment of this
picture. In principle, however, it will be
realized by the church today, in the glo-
rious triumph of the gospel and the return
of Jesus to this earth."—The
Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Isa. 60:12.
11.
How is the glorious state of
the church further emphasized? What
will they do who have afflicted and
despised God's people? Isa. 60:13-18.
NofE.—As a child receives nourishment
from its mother, so the church is here pic-
tured as being supported by the Gentiles,
even by kings.. All wealth belongs to the
Lord, and He will see to it that the abun-
dance of the Gentiles shall be used for the
furtherance of the gospel.
God Glorified in Zion
12.
What is said of the sun and
moon? Who will be our everlasting
light and glory? Isa. 60:19, 20. Com-
pare Rev. 21:23; 22:5.
NOTE.—"In the city of God 'there shall
be no night.' . . . The light of the sun will
be superseded by a radiance which is not
painfully dazzling, yet which immeasur-
ably surpasses the brightness of our noon-
tide. The glory of God and the Lamb
floods the Holy City with unfading light.
The redeemed walk in the sunless glory
of perpetual
day."—The Great Controversy,
page 676.
Read
The Ministry of Healing,
pages 504,
506.
13.
In what will the Lord be glo-
rified? Isa. 60:21.
14.
What will the "little one" be-
come? What will the Lord do in His
time? Isa. 60:22.
[ 33 3
Lesson 10, for June 9, 1956
The Mission of Christ
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 61; 62.
MEMORY VERSE:
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me; because the Lord hath
anointed Me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent Me to bind
up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of
the prison to them that are bound." Isa. 61:1.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapters 61; 62.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
Tuesday: Ques. 8-10.
of the lesson.
❑
Wednesday: Ques. 11-15.
Sunday: Introduction; Ques. 1-4.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
Monday: Ques. 5-7.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Christ's Work Set Forth in Prophecy
1.
Christ quoted from Isaiah 61.
Luke 4:16-20.
2.
Anointed to preach good tidings.
Isa. 61:1.
3.
What His proclamation included.
Isa. 61:2.
4.
Joyous appointment for Zion.
Isa. 61:3.
II. God's Favor Upon His People
5.
Restoration and exaltation. Isa.
61:4-6.
6.
Twofold blessings upon God's peo-
ple. Isa. 61:7-9.
7.
Clothed in righteousness before the
nations. Isa. 61:10, 11.
III. The Redeemed of the Lord
8.
Gentiles witness Zion's glory. Isa.
62:1,2.
9.
God's people a crown of glory
and delight. Isa. 62 :3, 4.
10.
God rejoices over His people.
Isa. 62:5.
IV. Charge to the Watchmen
11.
Alert watchmen. Isa. 62:6.
12.
Unremitting plea for Jerusalem.
Isa. 62:7.
V. The Oath and Proclamation of the
Lord
13.
The Lord's oath. Isa. 62:8, 9.
14.
A standard for the people. Isa.
62:10.
15.
Salvation and redemption pro-
claimed. Isa. 62:11, 12.
THE LESSON
Introduction
"This [ch. 61] is one of the most strik-
ing chapters of the book of Isaiah. For
every Christian this is clearly a Messianic
prophecy, one that Jesus applied to Himself
in His home town of Nazareth (see on
Luke 4:16-21). The speaker is Christ, in
His role as God's Servant (see on Isa. 41:8).
The subject matter of ch. 61 is closely re-
lated to that of ch. 60 (compare ch. 61:3
with ch. 60:9, 15, 18, 20, 21).
"Ancient Jewish expositors recognized
the Messianic import of this and many
other passages in Isaiah. Verses 1-3 pre-
sent a graphic picture of what the Messiah
[34
1
was to have accomplished for His people
Israel as individuals and as a nation. Be-
cause of their rejection of Jesus as the
Messiah, . . . however, the nation as such
forfeited the ministry and favor of Mes-
siah."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary,
on Isa. 61:1.
This chapter brings to view the high
position to which God calls His people in
Christ Jesus. Before the end comes, God
will have' a holy people, whose righteous-
ness will be evident to all men, Gentiles and
kings alike. God Himself will find joy in
them. They will be His crown of glory
and royal diadem. They will be a praying
people, faithful watchmen on the walls of
Zion.
We shall miss the lesson of this chapter
if we apply it only to other times and peo-
ples. We shall also miss it if we apply the
lesson to others rather than to ourselves
individually. God will not merely have a
holy people, He wants
me
to be holy. Per-
sonal sanctification is the aim of the truth.
Christ's Work Set forth in
Prophecy
1.
On what occasion did Jesus
quote Isa. 61:1 and part of verse 2?
To whom did He apply these words?
Luke 4:16-20.
NOTE.—"Jesus stood before the people
as a living expositor of the prophecies con-
cerning Himself. Explaining the words He
had read, He spoke of the Messiah as a
reliever of the oppressed, a liberator of cap-
tives, a healer of the afflicted, restoring
sight to the blind, and revealing to the
world the light of truth. His impressive
manner and the wonderful import of His
words thrilled the hearers with a power
they had never felt before."—The
Desire
of Ages,
page 237.
2.
Speaking through the prophet,
what work did Christ say He had
been anointed to do? Isa. 61:1.
NOTE.—Jesus was anointed with the Holy
Spirit and power. Acts 10:38. In the Old
Testament the priests were anointed, and
also the kings. Ex. 29:5-7; 1 Sam. 9:15, 16.
It was a sign of appointment to high of-
fice and denoted consecration and dedica-
tion to it.
"Anointed Me to preach." There is no
higher office than that of the gospel min-
ister. It was to this exalted ministry that
Jesus was anointed, and the qualifications
for the anointing are given in Ps. 45:7 and
Heb. 1:9. Christ loved righteousness and
hated iniquity; therefore God anointed
Him.
"The brokenhearted." As the Samaritan
bound up the wounds of the man that fell
among thieves (Luke 10:34), so Christ was
to bind up the brokenhearted, to comfort,
to heal, the sorrowing and distressed. In
this work we are to follow Him.
"Proclaim liberty." The only true lib-
erty is freedom from sin. John 8:32, 36;
Rom. 6:18.
3.
What did Christ come to pro-
claim? Who shall be comforted? Isa.
61:2.
NOTE.—"Acceptable year." "The year of
the Lord's favor," Revised Standard Ver-
sion. It may be well to contrast the year
of Jehovah's favor with the day of ven-
geance. Even as the year is much longer
than the day, so God's mercy is much
more abundant than is His wrath.
"When Jesus in the synagogue read from
the prophecy, He stopped short of the
final specification concerning the Messiah's
work. Having read the words, `To pro-
claim the acceptable year of the Lord,' He
ommitted the phrase, 'and the day of ven-
geance of our God.' Isa. 61:2. This was
just as much truth as was the first of the
prophecy, and by His silence Jesus did not
deny the truth. But this last expression
was that upon which His hearers delighted
to dwell, and which they were desirous of
fulfilling. They denounced judgments
against the heathen, not discerning that
their own guilt was even greater than that
of others. They themselves were in deep-
est need of the mercy they were so ready
to deny to the heathen."—The
Desire of
Ages,
pages 240, 241.
4.
What three things will God ex-
change for them that mourn in Zion?
What will they be called? Why? Isa.
61:3.
185
1
NoTE.—This is
a message of courage for
those who are downcast and disheart-
ened, for those who "mourn in Zion." This
mourning is the same as the sighing men-
tioned in Ezek. 9:4. It is mourning for
sin, not necessarily the sins of others, but
their own. Read
The Desire of Ages,
page
300.
"Trees of righteousness," literally "oaks"
or "terebinths." The Revised Standard
Version gives "oaks of righteousness." The
same figure is used in Jer. 17:8.
"That He might be glorified." God is to
be glorified in His saints. He wants to re-
veal His character in us. His meekness,
His humility, His self-control and purity,
should be our standard of conduct.
God's Favor Upon His People
5.
Turning attention from the
work of Christ to that of His true fol-
lowers, what does the prophet
say
they are to accomplish, and what will
be their position before the world?
Isa. 61:4-6. Compare Isa. 58:12.
Nofc.—This work will become so all-
important to many that they will let the
Gentiles feed their flocks, while they go to
feed the spiritually hungry world.
"Priests." God's original intention was
that His people should be priests. Ex. 19:6.
In the New Testament the church occupies
this position. 1 Peter 2:9.
"Ministers." A minister is a servant. As
Christ our Lord we are to be among men
"as he that serveth." Luke 22:27.
"Riches of the Gentiles." Read note un-
der question 11, lesson 9.
"In their glory." "To their glory shall
ye succeed," American Revised Version,
margin. The Gentiles glory in their riches.
But the time shall come when God's peo-
ple shall succeed them and inherit even the
riches of the Gentiles.
6.
How would God co-operate
with them in this work? Isa. 61:7-9.
7.
How did God purpose to reveal
His glory before the nations? Isa. 61:
10, 11.
-,soc,
SEES
THE REDEEMER
AS HIS PRECIOUS -JEWELS:
Lan. 10
The Redeemed of the Lord
8.
What intensity of purpose does
God manifest in regard to His plan?
Isa. 62:1, 2.
NOTE. Zion and Jerusalem stand for
God's people.
"Righteousness," "salvation." God pur-
poses to present His people before the
world in the garment of righteousness and
salvation and will not rest until it is ac-
complished. It is not that God will reveal
Himself
directly, but He will reveal Himself
in His people to the world.
"A new name." After Jacob wrestled
all night with the Angel, his old name was
no longer appropriate. He had passed
through a new experience, and he was a
changed man. So his name was changed
because
he
was changed. Genesis 32:28. In
like manner here. God's people will have
an entirely new experience, and their new
name will indicate that change. Rev. 2:17.
9.
How is God's regard for His
people, and the future He has in mind
for them, further described? Isa.
62:3, 4.
NOTE.—"Crown
of glory." "Royal dia-
dem." As a person might hold an object of
beauty in his hand for others to admire,
[36
1
so the Lord is here shown exhibiting His
people to the world. They are to Him a
crown of glory and a royal diadem.
These verses have a present application,
and they will meet their fulfillment in this
generation; therefore a great work lies
before us. It concerns first and chiefly our
own relation to God. If we are to be ex-
hibited to the world' as the handiwork of
God we should be greatly concerned about
our progress in holiness.
"Hephzibah" means "delight," and "Beu-
lah" means "married." See margin. This
figure recalls Isa. 54:1, where it denotes the
fruitfulness, the increase that shall come in
souls saved.
10.
What human relationship is
used to show God's feeling for His
people? Isa. 62:5.
NoTE.—Two figures are here used. First,
God's people, under a symbol of sons, are
married to the land, the virgin ; second,
God, as the bridegroom, is married to the
bride, His people.
In the Revelation the New Jerusalem,
in which are God's people, is spoken of as
coming down from heaven as the bride,
and Christ is the bridegroom. Rev. 21:9, 10.
So in like manner the figure is here used.
Charge to the Watchmen
11.
Whom has God set upon the
walls? What are they never to do?
Isa. 62:6.
NOTE.—"These watchmen represent the
ministry, upon whose fidelity depends the
salvation of souls. The stewards of the
mysteries of God should stand as watchmen
upon the walls of Zion; and if they see the
sword coming, they should sound the note
of warning. If they are sleepy sentinels,
and their spiritual senses are so benumbed
that they see and realize no danger, and
the people perish, God will require their
blood at the watchmen's hands."—Testi-
monies,
vol. 4, pp. 402, 403.
"The Lord's remembrancers," margin. A
strange expression, yet an appropriate one.
In these last days when the whole world
is prone to forget His law and His memo-
rial, "the Lord's remembrancers" are ad-
monished not to keep silence.
12.
What are they told not to give
the Lord? Until what time? Isa. 62:7.
NoTE.—"Give Him no rest." This is said
as an encouragement to prayer, to "pray
without ceasing." 1 Thess. 5:17.
A similar lesson is taught by the para-
ble of the importunate friend. Luke 11:5-8.
The Oath and Proclamation
of the Lord
13.
How does the Lord further
show His determination to accom-
plish what He has promised? Isa.
62:8, 9.
14.
What command is given? For
whom is the way to be prepared?
What is to be lifted up? Isa. 62:10.
NoTE.—"Go through the gates." Spread
out. Proclaim the message beyond your
own gates. "Prepare ye the way." Do
everything in your power to help those in
need. Remove every hindrance. "Lift up
a standard." "The commandments of God,
and the faith of Jesus" is such a standard.
Rev. 14:12.
15.
What message has God pro-
claimed to the end of the world?
What is said of His reward and work?
What shall the people be called? Isa.
62:11, 12.
NOTE.—"Thy salvation cometh." This
is the message of the second advent, and
it is to be sounded to the ends of the
earth. It will be accompanied with a
judgment message, for "His reward is with
Him." Rev. 22:12.
"His work"—"recompense," margin.
Christ comes both with a reward and a
recompense.
[ 37 ]
Lesson 11, for June 16, 1956
A Saviour Revealed
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 63; 64.
MEMORY VERSE:
"In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His
presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He
bare them, and carried them all the days of old." Isaiah 63:9.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapters 63; 64.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Check
Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
Tuesday: Ques. 7-10.
0
of the lesson.
❑
Wednesday: Ques. 11-14.
0
Sunday: Introduction; Ques. 1-3.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
Monday: Ques. 4-6.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. Salvation Only in Christ
1.
The One mighty to save. Isa. 63:1.
2.
He trod wine press alone. Isa.
63:2, 3.
3.
The only source of salvation. Isa.
63:4, 5. Compare Acts 4:12.
II. The Lord's Fatherly Care for His
People
4.
The multitude of His loving-
kindnesses. Isa. 63:7, 8.
5.
Shared in all their afflictions. Isa.
63:9.
6.
Remembered them even in re-
bellion. Isa. 63:10, 11.
7.
His leadership of His people. Isa.
63:12-14.
8.
Supplications to the Father. Isa.
63:15-19.
III. Supplication Continued
9.
Prayer for manifestation of divine
power. Isa. 64:1-3.
10. Acknowledgment of divine justice.
Isa. 64:4, 5.
11. Confession of guilt. Isa. 64:6,
7.
IV. Plea for Mercy
12. Thou art our Father, we are Thy
people. Isa. 64:8, 9.
13. Reminder of desolations. Isa.
64:10, 11.
14. Call for the Lord's intervention.
Isa. 64:12.
THE LESSON
all the people would then tremble and turn
to Him.
This is the same thought we hear ex-
pressed by some people today. If God
would only speak from heaven as He did
once, if He would tell the world that the
seventh day is the Sabbath, men would
be convinced and begin to observe it. A
paraphrase of Christ's words would fit here.
"They have Moses and the prophets. Let
them hear them. If they hear not Moses
and the prophets, neither will they hear
38
Introduction
The first section of Isaiah 63 deals with
Christ's treading the wine press; the sec-
ond, with God's goodness, mercy, and fa-
therly care, and His participation in the
afflictions and suffering of His people.
Isaiah 64 expresses the wish that God
would come down from heaven and show
His power in some mighty exhibition, such
as He did at Mount Sinai when He pro-
claimed the Ten Commandments. Surely
or be persuaded, though God should speak
to them from heaven." See Luke 16:29, 31.
Then follows confession of guilt and plea
for mercy.
Salvation Only in Christ
1.
What power is attributed to the
One with dyed garments from Boz-
rah? Isa. 63:1.
2.
How is His stained apparel ac-
counted for? Isa. 63:2, 3.
NOTE.—"He will save man at any cost
to Himself. He accepts His, baptism of
blood, that through Him perishing millions
may gain everlasting life. . . . He will not
turn from His mission. He will become the
propitiation of a race that has willed to
sin. His prayer now breathes only sub-
mission: 'If this cup may not pass away
from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be
done.'
"Having made the decision, He fell dy-
ing to the ground from which He had
partly risen. Where now were His disciples,
to place their hands tenderly beneath the
head of their fainting Master, and bathe
that brow, marred indeed more than the
sons of men? The Saviour trod the wine
press alone, and of the people there was
none with
Him."—The Desire of Ages,
page 693.
3.
What time had come? For what
did the Saviour look? Where alone
could salvation be found? Isa. 63:4,
5.
Compare Acts 4:12.
The Lord's Fatherly Care
for His People
4.
What is said of the loving-kind-
ness, goodness, and mercy of God to
His people? Isa. 63:7, 8.
NoTE.—It would be well if we would
think more often of God's goodness and
mercy, and of how much we have to be
GOO
Us:L.6 NOT ACCEPT OUR GIFTS IP
SECRET SINS ARE CHERISHED IN THE LIFE.
thankful for. "Nothing tends more to pro-
mote health of body and of soul than does
a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a pos-
itive duty to resist melancholy, discontented
thoughts and feelings—as much a duty as
it is to pray. If we are heaven-bound, how
can we go as a band of mourners, groaning
and complaining all along the way to our
Father's house?"—The
Ministry of Healing,
page 251.
"My people." God identifies Himself
with His people as in the beginning. Ex.
3:7. See also Hosea 11:1.
"Children that will not lie," that can be
depended upon. The meaning is, "Surely
they will be faithful and not fall away."
This expresses God's confidence in His peo-
ple. Even though God knew from the be-
ginning that some would fail, He deals with
His children on the basis of confidence.
5. How is the Lord's love for His
people demonstrated in His dealings
with the children of Israel? Isa. 63:9.
NOTE.—"Few give thought to the suffer-
ing that sin has caused our Creator. All
heaven suffered in Christ's agony; but
that suffering did not begin or end with
His manifestation in humanity. The cross
is a revelation to our dull senses of the
pain that, from its very inception, sin has
brought to the heart of God. Every de-
parture from the right, every deed of cru-
elty, every failure of humanity to reach
[ 39 ]
His ideal, brings grief to Him. When there
came upon Israel the calamities that were
the sure result of separation from God,—
subjugation by their enemies, cruelty, and
death,—it is said that 'His soul was grieved
for the misery of Israel.' In all their
affliction He was afflicted; . . . and He
bare them, and carried them all the days
'of old.'
"—Education,
page 263.
6.
How did Israel's rebellion affect
the relationship between God and
themselves? What did God remem-
ber? Isa. 63:10, 11.
7.
How was God's leadership dis-
played? Isa. 63:12-14.
8.
What earnest supplication closes
the chapter? Isa. 63:15-19.
Supplication Continued
9.
What does the prophet now
pray that God would do? Isa. 64:1-3.
NOTE.—"Rend the heavens." God had
hid Himself from Israel. They could not
pierce through to His dwelling place. Now
they ask God to rend the heavens, to come
down and show Himself. The expression
"rend the heavens" is a very strong one,
showing the intense desire of Israel to have
God's presence with them again.
"The mountains." When God spoke the
Ten Commandments, "the mountains melted
from before the Lord." Judges 5:5. Israel
is now asking for a like manifestation.
When Micah saw the Lord come "forth
out of His place," the mountains melted
and the valleys became as wax. Micah 1:
3, 4. The mountains represent that which
is most solid here on earth. When they
melt and flow down, well might men trem-
ble at His presence.
"Make Thy name known." Israel wanted
a demonstration of God's power. It looked
to them as though God had forsaken His
people. 0 that God in this critical hour
would "rend the heavens"! they prayed.
"The depths of the earth are the Lord's
arsenal, whence were drawn weapons to be
employed in the destruction of the old
world. Waters gushing from the earth
united with the waters from heaven to ac-
complish the work of desolation. Since the
Flood, fire as well as water has been God's
agent to destroy very wicked cities. These
judgments are sent, that those who lightly
regard God's law and trample upon His
authority, may be led to tremble before His
power, and to confess His just sovereignty.
As men have beheld burning mountains
pouring forth fire and flames, and torrents
of melted ore, drying up rivers, overwhelm-
ing populous cities, and everywhere spread-
ing ruin and desolation, the stoutest heart
has been filled with terror; and infidels and
blasphemers have been constrained to ac-
knowledge the infinite power of God."—
Patriarchs and Prophets,
page 109.
10.
What acknowledgment is made
of the Lord's provision for those who
trust in Him? Isa. 64:4, 5.
NOTE.—The Ministry of Healing,
page
425, quotes the American Revised Version,
which reads: "Neither bath the eye seen a
God besides Thee, who worketh for him
that waiteth for Him." God is the only
God who works for those who wait for
Him.
11.
In what strong terms is guilt
confessed? Isa. 64:6, 7.
Plea for Mercy
12.
How do the penitent confess
their utter dependence on God? Isa.
64:8, 9.
13.
Of what do they remind God?
Isa. 64:10, 11.
14.
In what words do they call for
the Lord to intervene? Isa. 64:12.
[ 40 ]
Lesson 12, for June 23, 1956
Preparing a People for the New Earth
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 65.
MEMORY VERSE:
"I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people: and the voice
of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying." Isa. 65:19.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapter 65.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
Tuesday: Ques. 9-11.
of the lesson.
❑
Wednesday: Ques. 12, 13.
Sunday: Introduction; Ques. 1-4.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
Monday: Ques. 5-8.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
0
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. God Sought by the Gentiles:
Rejection of Rebellious Israel
1.
Those not called by My name.
Isa. 65:1.
2.
Provocations of a rebellious peo-
ple. Isa. 65:2-4.
3.
Holier-than-thou attitude. Isa.
65:5.
4.
Recompense for iniquities. Isa.
65:6, 7.
II. Distinction Between True and False
in Israel
.5. Not destroy them all. Isa. 65:8-10.
6.
Fate of those who forsake the
Lord. Isa. 65:11, 12.
7.
Contrasts. Isa. 65:13-15.
8.
Blessings in God of truth. Isa.
65:16.
III. The Eternal Reward of the
Righteous
9.
New creation. Isa. 65:17.
10.
Joy and rejoicing. Isa. 65:18-20.
11.
Build and inhabit, plant and eat.
Isa. 65:21-23.
12.
Every need anticipated. Isa. 65:24.
13.
Peaceful conditions. Isa. 65:25.
THE LESSON
Introduction
This chapter falls into three general di-
visions. It is introduced by a rather anoma-
lous situation-the Lord is being sought
after by an alien people, while His own
people are in rebellion. Nevertheless the
Lord has faithful ones among His people,
and He draws a sharp distinction between
them and the disloyal. The chapter closes
on the triumphant note of the eternal re-
ward of the righteous in a new earth.
God Sought by the Gentiles:
Rejection of Rebellious Israel
1. Who does God say will seek
Him in response to His invitation?
Isa. 65:1.
[ 41]
14N.v.
MAN'S INVENTIONS MAKE IT EASY TO RECORD
WOZDS
AND DEEDS, BUT HOW MUCH EASIER IT IS
FOE HEAVEN TO KEEP
A
COMPLETE,ACCURATE RECORD:
2.
What pleading gesture has God
extended to His rebellious people?
What were some of their sins that
provoked the Lord's anger? Isa. 65:
2-4.
3.
What self-righteous attitude was
especially obnoxious to the Lord? Isa.
65:5. Compare Luke 18:9-14.
NOTE.—"
'Unto certain which trusted in
themselves that they were righteous, and
despised others,' Christ spoke the parable
of the Pharisee and the publican. The
Pharisee goes up to the temple to worship,
not because he feels that he is a sinner in
need of pardon, but because he thinks him-
self righteous. . .. His worship is prompted
by self-interest.
"And he is full of self-praise. He looks it,
he walks it, he prays it. Drawing apart
from others as if to say, 'Come not near
to me; for I am holier than thou' (Isa. 65:
5), he stands and prays 'with himself.'
"—
Christ's Object Lessons,
page 150.
4.
What record is made of their
trangressions? What will God mete
out to these flagrant offenders? Isa.
65:6, 7.
NOTE.—"
'Behold, it is written before
Me, . . . your iniquities, and the iniquities
of your fathers together, saith the Lord.'
Isa. 65:6, 7.
"Every man's work passes in review be-
fore God and is registered for faithfulness
or unfaithfulness. Opposite each name in
the books of heaven is entered with terrible
exactness every wrong word, every selfish
act, every unfulfilled duty, and every secret
sin, with every artful dissembling. Heaven-
sent warnings or reproofs neglected,
wasted moments, unimproved opportuni-
ties, the influence exerted for good or for
evil, with its far-reaching results, all are
chronicled by the recording angel."—The
Great Controversy,
pages 481, 482.
Distinction Between True and
False in Israel
5.
What illustration does the Lord
use to show His mercy, and what
precious promises does He make? Isa.
65:8-10.
6.
What will be the fate of those
who forsake the Lord? Isa. 65:11, 12.
7.
What striking contrasts are
drawn between those who serve God
and those who rebel against Him? Isa.
65:13-15.
8.
From whom do the blessings of
truth come? What will become of
former troubles? Isa. 65:16.
The Eternal Reward of the
Righteous
9.
What has God promised to do
for the righteous? Isa. 65:17. See
The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Com-
mentary
on verses 17-20.
[ 42 ]
10.
In what are we told to rejoice?
What shall not be heard any more?
Isa. 65:18-20.
11.
What picture is given of the
security that God's people will enjoy
in the new creation? Isa. 65:21-23.
NoTE.—"In the earth made new, the
redeemed will engage in the occupations
and pleasures- that brought happiness to
Adam and Eve in the beginning. The Eden
life will be lived, the life in garden and
field. 'They shall build houses, and in-
habit them ; and they shall plant vineyards,
and eat the fruit of them. They shall not
build, and another inhabit; they shall not
plant, and another eat: for as the days of
a tree are the days of My people.' . . .
"There every power will be developed,
every capability increased. The grandest
enterprises will be carried forward, the
loftiest aspirations will be reached, the
highest ambitions realized. And still there
will appear new heights to surmount, new
wonders to admire, new truths to compre-
hend, fresh objects of study to call forth
the powers of body and mind and soul."—
Prophets and Kings,
pages 730, 731.
12.
How does God anticipate and
respond to the requests of His people?
Isa. 65:24.
13.
What changes will be found in
the animal kingdom? Isa. 65:25.
NoTE.—"To us who are standing on the
very verge of their fulfillment, of what deep
moment, what living interest, are these
delineations of the things to come,—events
for which, since our first parents turned
their steps from Eden, God's children have
watched and waited, longed and prayed!
"Fellow pilgrim, we are still amid the
shadows and turmoil of earthly activities;
but soon our Saviour is to appear to bring
deliverance and rest. Let us by faith be-
hold the blessed hereafter, as pictured by
the hand of God. He who died for the sins
of the world, is opening wide the gates of
Paradise to all who believe on Him. Soon
the battle will have been fought, the victory
won. Soon we shall see Him in whom our
hopes of eternal life are centered. And in
His presence the trials and sufferings of this
life will seem as nothingness. The former
things 'shall not be remembered, nor come
into
mind"'—Prophets and Kings,
pages
731, 732.
Lesson 13, for June 30, 1956
The Church Triumphant
LESSON SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 66.
MEMORY VERSE:
"For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make,
shall remain before Me, saith the Lord, so shall your seed and your name
remain." Isa.
66:22.
STUDY HELPS:
Sabbath-school lesson helps in "Review and Herald;" "The Seventh-
day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Isaiah, chapter 66.
DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD
Check Study
Check Study
Sabbath afternoon: General survey
Tuesday: Ques. 9-11.
❑
of the lesson.
❑
Wednesday: Ques. 12-15.
❑
Sunday: Introduction; Ques. 1-4.
❑
Thursday: Read Lesson Helps.
❑
Monday: Ques. 5-8.
❑
Friday: Review entire lesson.
❑
43 ]
Lesson Outline:
Introduction
I. The Supremacy of God
1.
God's dominion. Isa. 66:1.
2.
The Maker of all condescends to
look upon the poor and contrite.
Isa. 66:2.
3.
He abhors religious abominations.
Isa. 66:3.
4.
Choosing their delusions. Isa. 66:4.
Compare 2 Thess. 2:11.
II. Jerusalem's Fruitful and Joyous
Triumph
5.
Experience of those who tremble
at His word. Isa. 66:5, 6.
6.
Zion's travail. Isa. 66:7-9.
7.
Rejoicing with Jerusalem. Isa.
66:10, 11.
8. Peace like a river. Isa. 66:12.
III. The Lord Will Come With Fire
9.
Comfort and joy at the hand of
the Lord. Isa. 66:13, 14.
10.
The coming of the Lord. Isa.
66:15, 16.
11.
Nations see His glory. Isa.
66:17, 18.
V. Worship in the New Earth
12.
God's sign among the nations.
Isa. 66:19.
13.
Representatives of all nations in
the service of the Lord. Isa.
66:20, 21.
14.
Permanence of new-earth condi-
tions. Isa. 66:22.
15.
Regular period of worship in the
new earth. Isa. 66:23.
THE LESSON
NOTE.-"What is the house which you
would build for Me, and what is the place
of My rest ?" (Revised Standard Version.)
2. Who has made all things? To
whom will God look? Isa. 66:2.
Introduction
God is more interested in the spirit of the
giver than in the value of the gift. The
greatest offering may be an abomination
if not accompanied by a contrite heart.
God will do a wonderful work in a short
time. When God's people receive the lat-
ter rain, it is for service. Thousands will
accept the truth in a day. It will look as
though the work was done suddenly. Yet
a long preparation went before. The seed
has been sown and watered. Now it will
suddenly blossom forth and bear fruit. The
work will not have been done in vain. It
may now seem as though very little fruit
has come from a large sowing. But God,
who has brought "to the birth," will also
"cause to bring forth." God's sign will be
proclaimed by the remnant in the whole
earth, and men from all nations will be
brought as an offering to the Lord, many
of whom will hold responsible positions.
Then will come the new earth. The
righteous will worship the Lord, and the
wicked be destroyed.
The Supremacy of God
1. Where are God's throne and His
footstool? What questions are asked?
Isa. 66:1.
3.
By what four statements does
God show that an offering brought to
Him without a contrite spirit is not
acceptable? What choice has been
made, and in what do such individu-
als delight? Isa. 66:3.
NoTE.-The meaning seems to be, "He
that offers an ox or any other sacrifice to
Me, but does not have a contrite heart, is
as little pleasing to Me as a murderer."
See Isa. 1:11.
4.
What will God choose? Why
does He do this? Isa. 66:4. Compare
2 Thess. 2:11.
NOTE.-"In the severe treatment that
came upon Judah the Lord had a wise and
merciful purpose, as He did with the ten
tribes. What He could not accomplish
[ 44 ]
through them in their own land, He would
accomplish by scattering them among their
heathen neighbors."—The
Seventh-day Ad-
ventist Bible Commentary,
on Isa. 66:4. See
also
Prophets and Kings,
page 292.
Jerusalem's Fruitful and
Joyous Triumph
5.
What attitude will be taken by
opposers of those who tremble at His
word? To whom will the Lord ap-
pear in joy? What will happen to the
adversaries? Isa. 66:5, 6.
NoTE.—This word was very precious to
the brethren who passed through the ex-
perience of 1844. They had been both hated
and cast out. But the precious promise was
theirs that the Lord would appear to their
joy.
"The most humble and devoted in the
churches were usually the first to receive
the message. Those who studied the Bible
for themselves could not but see the un-
Scriptural character of the popular views
of prophecy; and wherever the people
were not controlled by the influence of the
clergy, wherever they would search the
word of God for themselves, the advent
doctrine needed only to be compared with
the Scriptures to establish its divine au-
thority.
"Many were persecuted by their unbe-
lieving brethren. In order to retain their
position in the church, some consented to
be silent in regard to their hope; but others
felt that loyalty to God forbade them thus
to hide the truths which He had com-
mitted to their trust. Not a few were cut
off from the fellowship of the church for
no other reason than expressing their be-
lief in the coming of Christ. Very precious
to those who bore this trial of their faith
were the words of the prophet: 'Your
brethren that hated you, that cast you out
for My name's sake, said, Let the Lord be
glorified: but He shall appear to your joy,
and they shall be ashamed.' Isa. 66:5."—
The Great Controversy,
page 372.
6.
Concerning what does the
prophet express his astonishment?
What questions does he ask? What
took place as soon as Zion travailed?
Isa. 66:7-9.
NOTE.—"In
one day. It
is
a thing un-
heard of and incredible that a nation could
come into existence so suddenly. If the
Jews in exile had heeded the message of the
prophets, the restoration would have been
as dramatic and as gloriOus as here de-
scribed.
"Not cause to bring forth.
The serious-
ness of God's purpose is here emphasized.
Israel's failure to fulfill the divine purpose
was not due to any deficiency of divine
grace. Nor will God permit the temporary
failure of Israel to frustrate the 'plan of the
ages for the redemption of mankind' (PK
705, 706). The heavenly Jerusalem, 'the
mother of us all' (Gal. 4:26), will be
populated by the nations of the saved (see
on Isa.
54:1)."—The Seventh-day Advent-
ist Bible Commentary,
on Isa. 66:8,
9.
7.
Who are to rejoice with Jerusa-
lem and delight in her glory? Isa. 66:
10, 11.
8.
What will God extend to His
church? Isa. 66:12.
The Lord Will Come With Fire
9.
How will Jerusalem be com-
forted? When His people see this,
what will they do? What will come
to God's enemies? Isa. 66:13, 14.
10.
What picture is given of the
coming of the Lord? Isa. 66:15. 16.
NoTE.—The slain mentioned in this text
are the slain in the great battle of Arma-
geddon, explained in Jer. 25:27-33.
11.
Against whom are the judg-
ments of God brought to bear before
all the nations? Isa. 66:17, 18.
NOTE.—"Sanctify themselves.
These apos-
tates mingled heathen rites with the wor-
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ship of Jehovah and then took a 'I am
holier than thou' (ch. 65:5) attitude toward
their brethren. The reigns of Ahaz and
Manasseh were strikingly characterized by
such worship (2 Kings 16:10-16; 21:2-7).
The consecration and purification ceremo-
nies referred to were probably initiatory
rites into heathen mysteries.
"In the gardens.
These gardens and
groves were frequently the scene of cruel
and immoral religious ceremonies. The He-
brews often followed the heathen in wor-
shiping in such places (Isa. 1:29; 65:3, 4;
cf. 1 Kings 14:23; 15:13; 2 Kings 16:3, 4;
17:9-11; 18:4), although they had been
commanded by God to destroy them (Ex.
34:13; Deut. 7:5).
"Behind one tree.
The word 'tree' is sup-
plied. The reference may be to some
abominable and revolting object of wor-
ship. . . .
"Eating swine's flesh. . . .
These people
openly defied God by partaking of things
that were particularly abominable to Him.
Both the swine and the mouse are listed
among the unclean animals the Hebrews
were forbidden to eat (Lev. 11:2, 7, 29, 44).
The Jewish apostates exulted in throwing
off all restraints and pretended to sanctify
themselves by the very things God had said
would defile them and render them unfit
for fellowship with Him. In their affecta-
tion of a superior sanctity they had sunk
to the lowest depths of degradation."—The
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
on Isa. 66:17.
Worship in the New Earth
12.
What will God set, or place,
among the nations? How does the
prophet portray a great missionary
movement? Isa. 66:19.
NOTE.—
"
A sign." Compare Ezek. 20:
12, 20.
"Those that escape," the remnant.
"Unto the nations." The nations here
mentioned are representative of the na-
tions of the earth. That is, the messengers
shall go to the ends of the earth and declare
God's glory.
13.
What will be brought as an
offering from all nations? What will
the Lord take of them? Isa. 66:20, 21.
NOTE.—This widespread missionary work
will bring sheaves from all nations, brought
as an offering to God. Some of these con-
verts God will use as priests and Levites.
14.
How long will the seed and
the name remain? Isa. 66:22.
15.
What will come to pass from
one new moon to another, and from
one Sabbath to another? Isa. 66:23.
NOTE.—"The Sabbath was not for Is-
rael merely, but for the world. It had been
made known to man in Eden, and, like
the other precepts of the Decalogue, it is of
imperishable obligation. Of that law of
which the fourth commandment forms a
part, Christ declares, 'Till heaven and
earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no
wise pass from the law.' So long as the
heavens and the earth endure, the Sabbath
will continue as a sign of the Creator's
power. And when Eden shall bloom on
earth again, God's holy rest day will be
honored by all beneath the sun. 'From one
Sabbath to another' the inhabitants of the
glorified new earth shall go
.
up 'to worship
before Me, saith the Lord.' Matt. 5:18;
Isa. 66:23."—The
Desire of Ages,
page 283.
[46
1
THIRTEENTH SABBATH OFFERING
June 30, 1956
South American Division
One of the great mission fields of the South American Division is to
receive the overflow of the Thirteenth Sabbath Offering this quarter.
Brazil is a country larger than the United States and is divided into
twenty states, and these states are organized into three union missions.
It is the East Brazil Union that is looking to us for help this quarter. We
have the privilege of helping to enlarge the facilities of the Northeast
Brazil Academy in order that more young people may have the privi-
lege of a Christian education. There are so many young people attend-
ing this school at the present time that they are far too crowded and
must have more room.
Besides helping the academy, we can also help to build four new
church buildings in the East Brazil Union. Many people are uniting
with the church in this great mission field, but in many places we have
no church buildings where they can attend church, or else the churches
are far too small. Surely everyone will want to have a part in helping
the good work along in a field where the membership is steadily
increasing.
LESSONS FOR THE THIRD QUARTER, 1956
Sabbath-school members who have failed to receive a senior
Lesson Quarterly
for the third quarter of 1956 will be helped by the following outline in studying
the first lesson.
This quarter begins a two-quarter series of lessons on the Life of Christ. The
title of the first lesson is "God With Us." The Memory Verse is Matt. 1:23. The
texts to be studied are:
Ques. 1. Rom. 16:25.
Ques. 2. Rom. 5:6 ; Gal. 4:4.
Ques. 3. Micah 3:9-11; Matt.
23:23-33.
Ques. 4. Rom. 1:22-31.
Ques. 5: Luke 1:11-17.
Ques. 6. Luke 1:26-31, 38.
Oues. 7. Matt. 1:18-21.
Ques. 8. 2 Sam. 7:12, 13, 16;
Luke 1:32, 33.
Ques. 9. Micah 5:2 ; Luke 2:1-5, 11.
Ques. 10. Isa. 7:14 ; Matt. 1:22, 23.
Ques. 11. Luke 2:6,
7 .
Ques. 12. John 1:1, 14; Heb. 2:14-18.
Ques. 13. John 3:16; 1 John 4:4.
Ques. 14. Isa. 9:7; Rev. 21:3.
47
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RIO GRANDE DO SUL
CONFERENCE
POPULATION
CHURCHES
CH. MEM.
S.S. MEM.
AUSTRAL UNION
25,839,316
147
I6,335
15.955
EAST BRAZIL UNION
26,605,419
78
11.778
16,610
INCA UNION
13,364,878
87
21,528
24,509
NORTH BRAZIL UNION
5,960,461
20
2.590
3,374
SOUTH BRAZIL UNION
18,712.258
86
22.294
32,089
DIVISION TOTALS
90,482.332
418
74,525
92,537
FLORID
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